A Chinese spokesman urged the Dutch side to stop its infringement, risky and provocative actions, and strictly restrain frontline sea and air forces to avoid any unexpected incidents at sea or in the air.
Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday in response to Wednesday's illegal trespass by a helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter into the airspace of China's Xisha Islands. "A helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Xisha Islands recently, seriously violating China's sovereignty and undermining China's security interests. The Chinese army organized maritime and air forces to take effective measures to dispel the helicopter out of the area, and has lodged solemn representations with the Dutch side. The Xisha Islands are inherent territory of China. The Chinese army remains on high alert and resolutely defends national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Dutch side to stop its infringement, risky and provocative actions, and strictly restrain frontline sea and air forces to avoid any unexpected incidents at sea or in the air," said Jiang.
Defense spokesman condemns Dutch helicopter intrusion into China's airspace
China's top political advisor Wang Huning called for strengthening party-to-party exchanges and enhancing political mutual trust with Britain on Thursday in Beijing. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when meeting with the UK cross-party parliamentary delegation visiting China for the 14th China-UK Senior Leadership Forum.
Noting that President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to develop a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership during the prime minister's China visit in January, Wang said China is willing to work with Britain to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, strengthen party-to-party exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, and promote more results in mutually beneficial cooperation.
He said the CPPCC National Committee stands ready to make positive contributions to this end.
British delegates, including former British minister for the Cabinet Office and honorary president of the Great Britain-China Centre David Lidington, said they witnessed China's greater development achievements during the visit, and that a prosperous and stable China serves the interests of all parties.
The British side values cooperation opportunities with China, appreciates China's contributions to global governance, and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and multilateral coordination with China to promote common development and world peace and stability, said the delegates.
China's top political advisor calls for enhancing mutual trust with Britain
