US, its allies should not bring confrontation, conflict into Asia-Pacific: spokesman

The United States and its allies should not bring bloc confrontation, conflict and war into the Asia-Pacific, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Lin made the remarks in response to a media query regarding reports that the Pentagon has stated a U.S.-led manufacturing consortium is seeking to establish a new ammunition production line in the Philippines, explaining that this plan aims to help allies produce and maintain military equipment closer to potential demand areas.

"China believes that military and security cooperation between countries should not target or harm the interests of any third party, nor should it undermine regional peace and stability. The Asia-Pacific is the most important engine and stabilizer for global development and prosperity. The United States and its allies should earnestly respect the common aspirations of countries in the region, do more things that are conducive to peace and stability, do not bring bloc confrontation, conflict, and war into the Asia-Pacific. If relevant countries willingly act as powder kegs and ammunition depots, they will ultimately suffer the consequences themselves. China will firmly safeguard its national territorial sovereignty and security interests and uphold its legitimate rights and interests," said Lin.

US, its allies should not bring confrontation, conflict into Asia-Pacific: spokesman

US, its allies should not bring confrontation, conflict into Asia-Pacific: spokesman

A 7.5-tonne unmanned cargo aircraft powered by AEP100, China's independently developed megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine, successfully completed its maiden flight on Saturday at an airport in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan Province.

This marks the world's first test flight of a megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine.

Experts from the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) noted that the successful maiden flight highlights that China has now established a complete technological chain in hydrogen-fueled aviation engines, covering everything from core components to full engine integration. They added that this achievement lays the foundation for the industrial application of hydrogen energy in aviation.

As green hydrogen production costs fall, hydrogen aviation engines will show growing economic and energy security advantages, experts said. Hydrogen-fueled aero engine technology is expected to debut in low-altitude economy fields such as unmanned air freight and island logistics before gradually expanding to regional and mainline aircraft.

This technology will drive coordinated upgrades across industrial clusters, including upstream green hydrogen production, midstream storage, transportation and refueling infrastructure, and downstream high-end equipment and new materials. Ultimately, it will propel the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of China's aviation industry, experts added.

Megawatt hydrogen turboprop engine completes maiden flight in central China