Chinese ambassador lodges solemn representation with US on military strength report

China's ambassador to the United States of America Zhou Wenzhong, in his meeting with US Deputy National Security Advisor J. D. Crouch II on July 20, lodged solemn representation with the US government concerning a report on China's military strength published by the US Defense Department on July 19.

Zhou Wenzhong pointed out the report groundlessly attacks China's defense modernization drive, willfully exaggerates Chinese military spending and makes unwarranted criticisms on China's normal defense construction and military deployment. The report claims that China's military modernization poses a threat to the United States and other military powers in the Asia-Pacific region, Zhou said.

In an attempt to give an excuse for US sales of advanced weaponry to Taiwan, the report plays it up that China's military modernization makes it necessary for Taiwan to develop counter-measures, said the ambassador.

The report makes every effort to spread the "China threat" theory, which is a move to grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and foment dissension between China and its neighboring countries.

Zhou said such an act severely breaches the basic norms governing the international relations and runs counter to the principles in the three Sino-US joint communiques. It is erroneous either in terms of the content and the timing of publication and it damages Sino-US relations. China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the Pentagon report.

Zhou Wenzhong stressed that China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and adopts a defensive defense policy and poses no threat to any other countries.

He said Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and China strongly opposes the interference in China's internal affairs by any foreign country in any forms. The US should honor its own commitment with concrete actions, adhere to one-China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques, oppose "Taiwan independence", stop arms sales and military links with Taiwan in an effort to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits as well as the common interests of China and the United States.

The United States should not create excuse for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan, and send wrong signals to the separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence", Zhou warned.

By People's Daily Online