A Chinese military spokesman on Monday denounced the Japanese side for hyping up China's regular military training as a so-called security threat, saying that it will never work for Japan to evade the real issue, to divert attention, or to recriminate.
Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, the spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, was speaking at a press briefing in response to a comment from the Japanese side about a recent flight training of Chinese carrier-based aircraft.
"The facts in this case are clear and supported by solid evidence, leaving no room for Japan to deny or distort them. On December 6, the Liaoning carrier group, via Warship 101, informed the Japanese Warship 116 that China would conduct carrier-based aircraft flight training. The Japanese side confirmed receipt. Later, the Chinese vessel again notified the Japanese Navy that the training would begin at 15:00 and last approximately six hours, mainly in the area south of the carrier. The Japanese Warship 116 confirmed it once again. In this context, Japan sent aircraft repeatedly into the Chinese training airspace and maritime zone, disrupting operations. The responsibility for endangering flight safety lies entirely with Japan," said Jiang.
"Japan has repeatedly deceived its own people and misled the international community, exaggerating China's normal military training as a so-called 'security threat' and turning itself -- the provocateur -- into the victim. This raises serious questions that is this an attempt to shift attention from the serious consequences caused by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous statements on China's Taiwan region? Is Japan using this as a pretext to break through the post-war system, seek military deregulation, and revive the specter of militarism? We strongly urge Japan to face up to the crux of the current difficulties in China-Japan relations, express repentance and atone for its mistakes. Any despicable actions and politically manipulative moves involving evasion, distortion, or reversing the blame will not succeed," he said.
China denounces Japan for hyping up regular military training
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and friendship with Singapore when he met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the long-term and stable development of China-Singapore relations has benefited from the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, who have upheld the correct political direction.
The two sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady and sustained progress of their friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Gan said that Singapore highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes the secessionist forces in Taiwan, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Ding and Gan co-chaired four China-Singapore mechanism meetings on bilateral cooperation, namely, the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.
They comprehensively reviewed and summarized the progress of practical cooperation between the two countries, clarifying the direction and priorities for cooperation in the next stage.
Both sides agreed to deepen the alignment of development plans, promote the upgrading of major projects, cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and better promote the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
Following the meetings, Ding and Gan witnessed together the exhibition of achievements in China-Singapore cooperation, and attended the launching ceremony of two freight trains under the China-Singapore Multi-modal Demonstration Project. They also visited the comprehensive exhibition hall of China-Singapore interconnectivity projects and Chongqing digital city operation and governance center.
At the invitation of Ding, Gan is on a visit to China from December 15 to 16.
Chinese vice premier calls for enhanced cooperation with Singapore
