The Philippines was absent from the opening of the West Pacific Naval Forum. Zhang Youxia called the maritime arena a non-military arena and implicitly criticized the US containment for damaging peace – 20240423 – China – Daily Ming Pao

Xinhua News Agency reported that Zhang Youxia did not criticize the United States by name in his speech. He said that the Cold War mentality should be resolutely abandoned, and power politics is also unpopular; the pursuit of absolute security, the deployment of zero-sum games, and the enthusiasm for forming gangs, especially maritime containment and island chain blockades, will only plunge the world into turmoil and division. vortex. He said that the Chinese people uphold peace and have no intention of fighting a cold war or a hot war with any country. However, territorial sovereignty cannot be infringed and core interests cannot be challenged. “We do not cause trouble and will never be afraid of it.” The Chinese military will resolutely defend the unity of the motherland and national interests.

Zhang also said that the spread of war in some areas has continued to intensify old and new conflicts and worsened the security situation; parties to the conflict should remain rational and exercise restraint, while other parties should not exaggerate confrontation and add fuel to the fire, and should jointly create conditions for cooling down the situation. He said that the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate Pacific countries. The ocean should not be an arena for countries to show off their force and pursue gunboat diplomacy, but should become a stage for peaceful coexistence and enhancement of common interests.

Zhang Youxia warned that China has always adhered to friendly consultations with countries directly concerned to resolve maritime disputes, but it will not allow goodwill to be abused and will not accept international law being distorted. It will safeguard rights in accordance with the law against deliberate infringements and resolutely counterattack unreasonable provocations based on reason.

29 countries attended the meeting, the United States hopes for increased cooperation among high-level navies

PLA Navy Commander Hu Zhongming also attended the forum. U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Stephen Koehler spoke at the introduction session and expressed his gratitude to Hu Zhongming and the Chinese Navy for their efforts in making this annual meeting well organized. This is a very important platform that allows high-level naval exchanges and cooperation.

The annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Forum began in 1988. This year, the Chinese Navy hosted it again after 2014. Foreign representatives attending included the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Cambodia, Chile, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Pakistan. and other delegations from the navies or maritime defense departments of 29 countries. This year’s theme is “Ocean with a Shared Destiny”, focusing on establishing a structure to avoid drone collisions at sea.

The Global Times reported that the Russian side was attended by newly appointed Navy Commander-in-Chief Alexander Moiseyev. However, the Philippines, which is also a member of the Western Pacific Naval Forum, did not send a representative to China to participate in the meeting this year. Liang Wei, a senior colonel at the Chinese Naval Academy, said that China is the host country of this forum and has extended invitations to all member states and observer states. It is unclear why the Philippines did not participate.

Experts say the Philippines suffered from contradictory information and hype

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese naval military expert, said that the Philippines has been provoking troubles and provocations in the South China Sea and has always pretended to be a victim in order to win sympathy from the international community. “Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the Philippines deliberately absented itself from the Western Pacific Naval Forum in the hope of continuing to create topics and attract the attention of the international community. And disrupt the forum.” He also said that the absence of the Philippines not only reduces opportunities for exchanges with navies of other countries, including the Chinese Navy, but also contradicts the international rules and maritime order that the Philippines has always promoted.

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