CCTV News: On the afternoon of April 24, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions from reporters.
Reporter: It is reported that the Philippines, the United States and other countries have recently held a "shoulder-to-shoulder" joint exercise. The US military will deploy anti-ship missile systems in the Luzon Strait in northern Philippines. This is the first time it has been deployed in the Philippines. Some analysts believe that this is blocking the Bashi Channel during the Taiwan Strait crisis. The Philippines and the United States have previously organized a joint exercise of "Thunder Confrontation". What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: We have always believed that military cooperation among countries shall not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties, nor shall it endanger regional peace and stability. The South China Sea should become a sea of peace, cooperation, and friendship, but the Philippines is accusing the tiger of the tiger, catering to the provocations of foreign countries such as the United States, conducting so-called joint exercises and cruises, and introducing and deploying strategic and tactical weapons, which seriously violates the common interests of regional countries. We firmly oppose any country using the Taiwan issue as an excuse to strengthen regional military deployment and provoke tense confrontation. No matter the wind and waves, China firmly defends its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and effectively maintains regional peace and stability.
