China, clearly ill-at-ease with America’s new Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy, has demanded that Washington adopt a “constructive” approach in this pursuit, instead of bolstering its military deployment in the region with enhanced tie-ups and joint drills with its allies and partners.
Although it did not identify the allies and partners, China’s list is clearly thought to include India, apart from several other countries with which it has territorial issues, including Japan. China’s public pronouncement on this subject came from no less a person than its Defence Minister, General Chang Wanquan, at a news conference in Washington on Monday after his meeting with US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.
“No one should fantasize that China would barter away our core interests. And no one should underestimate our will and determination in defending our territory, sovereignty, and maritime rights,” Chang commented in reply to a question, even while affirming that China believes in resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiations.
With his responses in Chinese translated by an interpreter, Chang described the Asia-Pacific region as “our common homeland”, where the current situation is “generally stable, but there remains some hot spots and sensitive issues”. “Nations big or small, strong or weak, should make positive and constructive efforts for promoting regional peace and stability,” he said, commenting that any action that leads to trouble or provocation or further complicates the situation would be highly irresponsible and will not lead to a favorable result. “We also noticed that the frequency and intensity of such kind of joint military exercises are increasing upon the recent time,” he said, adding: “This kind of intensified military activities further complicated the situation in the region.”