Metro Manila, (CNN Philippines, March 13) — Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to modernize China’s military in order to safeguard Beijing’s national security and integrity.
Speaking for the first time after securing a historic and unprecedented third term, Xi said the country should work together to transform its military into a “great wall of steel.”
\”Security is the foundation for development, stability is the prerequisite for prosperity,\” Xi said during the closing ceremony of the National People’ s Congress.
“We should advance modernization drive in terms of national defense and military and build the People’s Liberation Army into a great wall of steel that effectively safeguards national security, and development interests,” the Chinese leader added.
Xi also reiterated China’s reunification plans with Taiwan and warns against external interference.
“We should be implementing all government systems in resolving the Taiwan question and uphold the ‘One China Policy’… We should rightfully propose the external forces and advance rejuvenation and reunification,” Xi said.
The Taiwan statement was welcomed by applause from the nearly 3,000 delegates of the congress.
China warns PH not to be dragged by US over Taiwan dispute
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has issued a warning to the Philippines over the proposed expansion and additional sites under the Enhanced Cooperation Defense Agreement (EDCA).
Both the Philippines and the US have yet to disclose the new locations but Beijing is already cautioning Manila should these sites be built near Taiwan.
“If the new sites are located in Cagayan and Isabela, which are close to Taiwan, does the US really intend to help the Philippines in disaster relief with these EDCA sites? And is it really in the national interest of the Philippines to get dragged by the US to interfere in the Taiwan question?” the Chinese Embassy said.
Beijing also asked the Philippines to focus on areas of cooperation rather than inviting a “bully” which could endanger peace in the region.
“We should keep on the right track of maintaining good-neighborliness and attaining mutual benefit rather than getting distracted by forces who are fanning the flame and driving a wedge between us, even less inviting a bully into our community. We need to focus on cooperation and development, and truly safeguard, promote and build peace, stability, prosperity of our region and bring more tangible benefits to people of our two countries,” the Chinese Embassy said.
In a forum organized by the Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI) on Monday, former Senator Kit Tatad questioned the plans to add more EDCA sites.
“These sites will be used to preposition weaponry in relation to war and they will be used for a possible war with China over the issue of Taiwan. The Philippines has become an instrument of defense in favor of Taiwan,” Tatad said.
The former senator also offered his thoughts as to why the government is pushing for the additional EDCA sites when the Philippines already rejected American bases in 1991.
“Malinaw na bumalik lang sila. Hindi lang nila tinawag na ‘bases’ pero ‘agreed locations’ ang term, parehas lang yun,” he said.
[Translation: It’s clear that they have returned. They just didn’t refer to them as ‘bases’ but ‘agreed locations,’ but they’re the same.]
The US Embassy in Manila declined to further comment on the statement of the Chinese Embassy.
