Palau will not succeed in its attempt to hijack the positions of other member states of Pacific Islands Forum by hyping up China's recent missile test, said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Thursday in Beijing.
Guo made the remark at a regular press briefing in response to a media inquiry.
"China has more than once made clear its position on the test launch. Palau has repeatedly raised this issue in an ill-intentioned attempt to hijack the position of other member states of the Pacific Islands Forum. It will not have its way," said Guo.
"China is committed to peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. We never engage in military expansion. China stands ready to work with South Pacific countries to contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the South Pacific region," said Guo.
China slashes Palau on hyping up missile test
China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Saturday conducted a pilot release of two Yangtze finless porpoises into the Honghu section of the Yangtze River in Hubei Province.
Two finless porpoises from the Laowan Oxbow of the Yangtze River in Hubei, were successfully released into the river after a year of rewilding training. Both of them are adult males aged between five and six years old.
Following the release, the Yangtze River Fisheries Administration under the ministry will organize scientific research institutions to conduct positioning and tracking of the two porpoises for approximately three months, continuously monitoring and evaluating their adaptability and health condition.
The Yangtze finless porpoise, known as the "smiling angel" of the river, is a national first-class protected wild animal in China.
The trial release marks a new step in China's ex-situ conservation efforts for the species, the only freshwater subspecies of the finless porpoise that is living in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River for 25 million years.
China releases two finless porpoises into Yangtze River in pilot rewilding effort
