China firmly opposed the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game of the US side, and urged the US to make more efforts to the world peace and development, said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
According to media reports, the Navy Secretary of the US Kenneth Braithwaite recently called for the establishment of a new numbered fleet to counter China's military ambition. Meanwhile, Commander of US Pacific Air Forces Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach named the Chinese Air Force a primary adversary in the Pacific region.
Ren pointed out that it's an old trick played by some people in the US. First, they create "enemies" and hype up "threats", and then they ask for money and resources at home and seek hegemony abroad. The old but sinister game is a typical manifestation of the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game. It goes completely against the trend of the times for peace, development and win-win cooperation. China firmly opposes to this.
China has also noticed the recent appointment of US acting defense secretary. This is America's internal affair, and China will not make comment. China always attaches great importance to the development of China-US military-to-military relations. Maintaining the healthy and steady development of this relation serves the fundamental interests of China and the United States and is also the common expectation of the international community, Ren added.
Ren stressed that, China is committed to the path of peaceful development, firmly pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and resolutely safeguards its sovereignty, security and development interests. China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence, while no force can stop the development and growth of China.
He stated that China hopes the US will work with it towards the same goal, uphold the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation to enhance mutual understanding, avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment, and continue to focus on cooperation, and manage and control risks and divergences.
China also hopes that the US side will keep an open eye on the world, look at China rationally, follow the trend of the times, make efforts to maintain a stable relationship between the two countries and two militaries, and promote the common interests of the peoples from both countries and around the world, Ren expressed.