BEIJING, Feb. 14 -- "As a peace-loving nation, China never engages in aggression or expansion. But China will never give up its legitimate rights and interests, and will take firm countermeasures against all threats and challenges," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a press briefing on Friday.
It is reported that after being sworn in as the new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth made clear that the US would restore the warrior ethos and work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Asia-Pacific by China.
When being asked to share comment, the defense spokesperson first expressed firm opposition to the groundless accusation made by the US side, adding that China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and a military strategy of active defense. The Chinese military has always been a staunch force in safeguarding world peace. As a peace-loving nation, China never engages in aggression or expansion. But China will never give up its legitimate rights and interests, and will take firm countermeasures against all threats and challenges.
The spokesperson went on to emphasize that major country competition should not be the underlying logic of the times. Instead, a steady, sound and sustained China-US diplomatic and defense relationship will serve the common interests of the two countries and meet the general expectation of the international community.
"Standing at a new starting point, we hope the US will work with China on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to deepen state-to-state and military-to-military exchanges and cooperation, so as to inject more certainty and positive energy into the world", said the spokesperson.