Chang Wanquan: China will never barter away core interests

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Chang Wanquan: China will never barter away core interests

(China Military Online) 08:43, August 22, 2013

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WASHINGTON DC, August 21 (ChinaMil) -- Chang Wanquan, state councilor and minister of national defense of the People's Republic of China (PRC) currently on an official friendly visit to the United States, stated in Washington DC on August 19, 2013 that it is hoped that the U.S.'s rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is not directed against China and will bring "peace" to the region instead. He also emphasized China has always been an unswerving upholder of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. However, nobody should fantasize China will trade off its core interests.

Chang Wanquan was asked twice about issues related to the U.S.'s Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy at the joint press conference on the same day following his meeting with Chuck Hagel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

In his reply to American reports' questions, Chang Wanquan quoted Xi Jinping, president of the PRC, that "the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States," and China welcomes the U.S. to play a constructive role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chang Wanquan pointed out that the U.S.'s Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy takes politics, economy, military and other factors into consideration. Nevertheless, countries in the Asia-Pacific region have now noticed the U.S.'s rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific region highlights its military presence, including reinforcing military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening military exercise and cooperation with allied countries, and the like. In addition, the U.S. has most recently continued to increase the frequency and intensity of military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, which has further complicated the situations in the region to some degree.

"We Chinese people are peace lovers. It is hoped that the Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy of the United States is neither directed against China nor meant to weaken China," said Chang Wanquan, standing by the side of Hagel. "The development of China is beneficial not only to China but also to the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. We live together with the United States and other Asian countries in the Pacific region. Everybody's long cherished wish is to have peace. We hope the Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy of the United States will bring peace to the Pacific region," Chang continued.

In reply to Chinese reporters' questions, Chang Wanquan expressed that "Chinese people has always been peace-lovers. China has always been an unswerving upholder of the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and has always insisted on solving related disputes through dialogues and negotiations. However," he quickly pointed out while raising his voice, "nobody should fantasize that China will trade off its core interests. Don't underestimate our determination and unswerving will in safeguarding our national territorial sovereign and maritime rights and interests."

At the end of the joint press conference, Chang Wanquan also stated that the Asia-Pacific region is the area where China and the United States share the most concentrated interrelated interests and have the most frequent interactions. There is a great space and great potentiality for China-U.S. cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese military is willing to work together with the U.S. counterpart to strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation so as to play a more significant role in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

（Editor：YanMeng、Zhang Qian）