Military threat accusations untrue

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China’s military is developing for the exclusive purpose of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security and developmental interests, Geng said, adding that its development is in line with the country’s need to deal with multiple security threats.
China has firmly adhered to a peaceful development path and adopted a defence policy that is wholly defensive in nature, he said, adding that China has always maintained a transparent strategic intent and made efforts to expand military exchanges.
Accusations of a possible Chinese military threat are “wrong and groundless”, Geng said.
In trying to find excuses to sell arms to Taiwan, said Geng, the US side has been deliberately playing up the imbalance of military power between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and sowing dissension among them, irrespective of the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
“The Chinese side firmly opposes such moves,” said Geng.
He also denied the the US accusation of China engaging in cyber-attacks against the US, saying such remarks are untrue.
Geng said the US’s suspicions and efforts to discredit China go against the country’s promise to build healthy, stable, reliable and sustainable military ties with China.
Geng said the US must respect facts, change its mindset and cease issuing similar reports year after year, adding that the US should take concrete actions to promote bilateral military relations.
The US Defence Department issued its annual report “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” on May 18.
Meanwhile, the Second Nishan Forum on World Civilisations dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and cross-cultural dialogue opened yesterday in Confucius’ birthplace Qufu, a city in east China’s Shandong province. With a theme of “Harmony with diversity and the harmonious world: belief, moral values, respect, solidarity,” the three-day event has drawn over 90 experts and scholars from more than 20 countries.
Organising Committee President Xu Jialu, a former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said people with different beliefs should be equally respected.
The forum opened to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the “World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development,” which the United Nations declared at the General Assembly in 2002.
Unesco Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning, Hans d’ Orville said that the forum explores that “Confucius and cultural diversity are essential today in a globalising world where we have to explore how humanity can attain a peaceful co-existence.” The forum is named after Ninshan Mountain where, in a cave, Confucius is believed to be born.
The First Nishan Forum was held in September 2010, during which the Nishan Declaration of Harmony was issued, calling for dialogue and communication among civilisations. — Xinhua.