The expansion of AUKUS, a security partnership between Australia, the UK and the U.S. will severely impact peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.
Wu made the remarks in response to recent reports that Japan has officially announced it will join AUKUS, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering increasing submarine deployments and starting negotiations to join the pact.
Wu said that China firmly opposes countries cobbling together exclusive groupings, building bilateral or multilateral military alliances targeting China.
"China is gravely concerned about it. We are open to normal military cooperation between any countries, but we firmly oppose relevant countries cobbling together exclusive groupings, building bilateral or multilateral military alliances targeting China, creating division and confrontation and stoking block confrontation. The Asia-Pacific is a big stage for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition. China is a cooperation partner for all countries, not a challenge to anyone. Disregarding the concerns of countries in the region and the international community, the U.S., UK and Australia have kept sending signals of AUKUS expansion, which have severely impacted peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific. Many countries in the region are deeply concerned about it," said Wu.
"For historical and realistic reasons, Japan's military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. Japan needs to draw lessons from history, and both speak and act prudently on military and security issues. Other countries should also earnestly fulfill their international obligations and avoid doing things that may undermine regional and world peace and stability," he said.
AUKUS expansion severely impacts peace and stability in Asia-Pacific: defense ministry spokesman
China urges the Philippines to respect facts, honor its commitments regarding Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea and stop infringement and provocation moves, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
Lin made the remarks after Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and Department of Foreign Affairs recently issued separate statements and denied the existence of any arrangements between China and the Philippines on the Ren'ai Jiao issue, including "new model" arrangement.
Lin said that China has all along been committed to managing maritime disputes, including the Ren'ai Jiao issue, with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation. The "gentlemen's agreement", internal understandings and the agreed "new model" all reflect China's effort and sincerity to that end.
Li reiterated the following basic facts at the regular press briefing in Beijing:
First, at the end of 2021, after intensive communication and consultation, China and the Philippines reached the "gentlemen's agreement." During the first few months of the current Philippine administration, both sides continued to implement the "gentlemen's agreement" until the Philippines stopped honoring it in February 2023.
Second, last September, the Chinese side invited the Envoy of the President to China for Special Concerns of the Philippines to Beijing to discuss how to properly manage the situation at Ren'ai Jiao, which resulted in an internal understanding. The understanding was approved by the Philippine leadership. One resupply mission was carried out within the realm of the understanding before it was abandoned by the Philippines.
Third, early this year, the Chinese side and the Philippine side agreed on a "new model" for resupply missions concerning Ren'ai Jiao after multiple rounds of discussions through the diplomatic channel and AFP's (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Westerm Command (WESCOM). The Philippine military has made repeated confirmation that the "new model" has been approved by all key officials in the Philippine chain of command, including the Secretary of National Defense and the National Security Advisor. On February 2, the Philippines carried out one resupply mission under this "new model" before abandoning it as well.
"Whatever the Philippine says, it will not erase the fact that it did reach the 'gentlemen's agreement,' internal understandings and the 'new model' with China. Let me stress that those understandings and arrangements are aimed to manage differences, prevent conflict and build trust so that the waters of Ren'ai Jiao can remain peaceful and stable. China urges the Philippines to adhere to the basic norms on international exchanges, respect facts, honor its commitments, stop infringement and provocations and take concrete steps to come back to the right path of properly handling differences with China through dialogue and consultation," said the spokesman.
China urges Philippines to honor commitments regarding Ren'ai Jiao
