Military official says China will not accept distortions of international law over maritime disputes

(22 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Qingdao, Shandong Province - 22 April 2024
1. Wide of opening ceremony of the 19th Western Pacific Navy Symposium
2. Screen playing a video of Chinese navy
3. Mid of Stephen Koehler, commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
4. Various of representatives of naval forces of other countries
5. Various of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, delivering a speech at stage
6. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission:
"The vast Pacific Ocean connects us together. It provides the best support for countries to adapt to the trend of globalization and achieve common development. Decoupling, friction and confrontation will only divide the world into isolated islands guarding against each other with suspicion. Equality, mutual trust, dialogue and consultation will lead our way to the future. The Chinese military is willing to work with all naval forces of other countries to actively maintain good maritime order, continuously deepen exchanges and communication, enhance understanding and trust, strengthen positive interactions, and to jointly build an ocean of harmony and tranquility."
7. Wide of Zhang speaking
8. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission:
"Acts seeking absolute security, clinging to the zero-sum mentality, and being keen on putting together small cliques, especially engaging in maritime containment, encirclement and island chain blockades will only plunge the world into a vortex of division and turbulence."
9. Wide of Zhang speaking
10. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission:
"The Chinese people uphold peace and have no intention of fighting a cold or hot war with any country. However, territorial sovereignty brooks no infringement, and its core interests cannot be challenged. We do not provoke trouble, but we will never flinch in the face of provocation. The Chinese military will resolutely defend the reunification and interest of the motherland."
11. Various of attendants at opening ceremony
12. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission:
"China remains committed to resolving maritime disputes with directly concerned countries through friendly consultations, but we will not allow our good faith to be abused, and we will not accept international law to be distorted. In the face of deliberate infringement, we will take justified actions to defend our rights in accordance with the law. In the face of unwarranted provocations, we will respond with firm and legitimate countermeasures."
13. Various of Zhang leaving stage
14. Wide of attendants
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Koehler, commander of the United States Pacific Fleet:
"I want to thank Admiral Hu (Zhongming) for hosting this event. I think it’s important for all navies to come together and work issues and as important for leaders to interact with each other in a forum like this."
14. Wide of opening ceremony

STORYLINE:
A senior military official said China committed to solve maritime disputes through dialogue but warned that International law could not be distorted.

Zhang Youxia, China’s second-ranking military leader under Xi Jinping, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Western Pacific Navy Symposium held in Qingdao, a port city in eastern China.

Zhang said friction among naval forces will "divide the world into isolated islands guarding against each other with suspicion".










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