By outdoor-nature-child.com On October 15, during a press briefing, Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, addressed recent military-related issues. He emphasized that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) involving the United States, Japan, India, and Australia has effectively become a political tool for U.S. efforts to contain China, declaring that small groups cannot define the larger geopolitical landscape.
When asked about the recent joint naval exercise, Malabar, conducted by the four nations in the Indian Ocean on October 8, which reportedly aimed to counter China and strengthen security cooperation, Wu responded critically. He stated that defense and security collaborations among these countries should not undermine the interests of third parties or jeopardize regional peace and stability. He argued that the concept of the Quad has devolved into a vehicle for U.S. hegemony against China, and he expressed strong opposition to the portrayal of China by these nations as a common adversary, which he claims exacerbates regional tensions.
Wu emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region should serve as a platform for cooperation rather than a battleground for geopolitical rivalry. He urged these nations to abandon zero-sum thinking and engage in actions that promote collective regional security, rather than the opposite.
In response to a query regarding comments made by Japan’s new Prime Minister Shioha Shigeru, who indicated a need for an “Asian NATO” to join Western nations in containing China, and allegations from Japanese officials about incursions by China and Russia into Japanese airspace, Wu criticized Japan for misrepresenting the situation. He accused Japan of fabricating a “China threat” to distract international attention from its own military expansion, to which China firmly objects. Wu pointed out that Japan has increasingly overstepped the restrictions of its pacifist constitution and defense policy, leading to heightened vigilance among its Asian neighbors and the international community.
He called on Japan to refrain from forming exclusive military alliances and to act more cautiously in the realm of military security, advocating for actions that would genuinely contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.