Beijing-Sana
The Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed today that conducting military exercises in the South China Sea falls within the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China, rejecting the criticism of the US Ministry of Defense (Pentagon) in this regard.
"Some countries from outside the region are conducting large-scale military activities and showcasing their forces, which is a major reason for the destabilization of the South China Sea," the Chinese television channel CGTN quoted ministry spokesman Zhao Li Jian as saying.
Zhao made the remark in response to the Pentagon's claim that conducting these exercises in the South China Sea "harms efforts to reduce tension and maintain stability."
In the past months, the United States intensified its provocative military actions in the South China Sea, prompting Beijing to express its strong opposition to these activities, stressing that it "does not serve the security and stability of the South China Sea."
In another context, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman described the statements of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding Hong Kong's national security legislation as "reflecting nothing but ignorance and prejudice", stressing that "inserting human rights in this matter constitutes a distortion of the facts."
"The law protects the vast majority of the citizens of the region while targeting only a few criminals," he said, noting that "after the law is enacted, Hong Kong will enjoy a more stable social system and a better business environment benefiting both Hong Kong citizens and foreign investors."
Zhao pointed to the US Secretary of State's ignorance of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, explaining that drafting a law to protect national security in an administrative region of China is a purely Chinese internal affair.
A few days ago, China renewed its rejection of US interference in Hong Kong affairs, the most recent of which was Washington's declaration of restrictions on visas for Chinese officials.
A spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hong Kong Administrative Region confirmed that “the Chinese people, including Hong Kong citizens, strongly support the protection of national security,” calling on the United States to correct its mistakes.