China army on high alert ahead of US arms producers visit to Taiwan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Apr 2023 12:34

A senior Chinese colonel slams US continued actions to militarize countries near China's borders.

Chinese troops prepare for the arrival of President Xi Jinping at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison during a 2017 event marking the 20th anniversary of the city's handover from British rule. (Reuters)

The Chinese military will remain on a state of high alert regarding developments in the Taiwan Strait and will take necessary measures in response to US arms producers' visit to Taiwan next month, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Taiwanese media reported that 25 giant US weapons manufacturers will visit the island in early May, including China-sanctioned Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies.

The visit aims to discuss the joint production of arms and ammunition as the United States continues its hyper-militarization of countries in the vicinity of China.

Tan added that the PLA is deeply concerned about the trip, stressing that the issues with Taiwan are Chinese internal affairs.

"The US 'Military-Industrial Complex' has always been keen on selling weapons around the world and exporting wars for profit," Tan said, adding that Taiwan's ruling party, by "inviting wolves into their homes," will only bring tragedies to the Island's residents.

"We strongly urge the US to fully recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and the complexity of the current situation in the Taiwan Strait, adhere to the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, and properly handle Taiwan-related issues," he added.

"The People's Liberation Army will resolutely counter any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and external interference, and will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

South China Sea

The senior military official slammed US accusations of China's "militarization" of the South China Sea, which Washington used as a pretext to increase its military presence in the Philippines.

Tan stressed that China has full sovereignty over the islands and their territorial waters.

"China building infrastructure and necessary defensive structures on these islands are a lawful exercise of national sovereignty and entirely legitimate," he said, adding that other countries have no right to make irresponsible remarks about these actions.

"Currently, the US is strengthening its military deployment in the South China Sea and deliberately heightening tensions. Countries from the region should remain highly vigilant to these developments," he said.

The army will unquestionably defend China's territorial sovereignty, including its maritime borders, and will firmly secure peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The Chinese military will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and will firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Tan concluded.

Secret Nuclear Tests

A recent Pentagon report claimed that China allegedly conducted secretive nuclear tests and biological experiments.

Tan responded to Washington's accusations saying that the information presented by the reports is fabricated, lacks evidence, and serves the US smearing campaign against China.

The United States practices double standards in arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament to advance its own interests, meanwhile, the US is developing new nuclear warhead technologies, working with the UK and Australia on nuclear submarines, and militarizing outer space programs.

"They have constantly shifted blame and withdrawn from treaties in the field of nuclear nonproliferation, obstructed negotiations on the verification protocol of the Biological Weapons Convention, and established hundreds of biological laboratories worldwide," he said.

"These actions have seriously undermined global and regional strategic stability and have a significant impact on multilateral arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament processes," the Chinese official added.

"We urge the US to reflect on its own behavior, refrain from smearing others and respond seriously to the international community's concerns about its commitment to following treaties."