SCIO briefing on China's national defense
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2019
Hu Kaihong:
The last two questions please, due to time considerations.
New York Times:
In the white paper you refer to, seeking partnerships rather than alliances, and you already mentioned the joint patrol yesterday with Russia. Do you anticipate more or deepening operations with Russia or any other countries? And related to that, there were reports this week of China seeking a basing arrangement with its neighbor forces in Cambodia, do you also see and anticipate additional efforts to establish operating bases or arrangements with other countries in other parts of world? Thank you very much.
Wu Qian:
Your questions comprise several specific points, to which I'll respond one by one.
First, it concerns foreign military relations. China actively develops constructive relationships with foreign military forces. A new configuration of foreign military relationships that is all-dimensional, wide-ranging and multi-tiered is taking shape. However, what we are engaged in are dialogues rather than confrontations, and partnerships rather than alliances. Regarding your questions about whether China and Russia will continue to hold joint aerial patrol, this will depend on the negotiations and decisions reached between the two sides on pragmatic cooperative programs. As we all know, the military relationship between China and Russia, following the epochal bilateral ties, is entering a new era. Under the strategic blueprint charted by the two State leaders, the bilateral military relationship is expected to achieve historical peaks one after another. The two countries will support each other's core interests, improve cooperative institutions on multi-tiered levels and expand cooperation in high-level exchanges, strategic partnership, military training, equipment technology and counter-terrorism. In doing so, we are positively acting to fulfill our duties to safeguard global peace and strategic stability.
In addition, you asked about the so-called military base arrangement in Cambodia. Our relevant administrations have already clearly stated that this is nothing but rumors. Although the two countries have maintained good cooperation through exchanges in military exercises, personnel training, logistical services and equipment development, our partnership targets no third party.
