DND to China: Prove commitment to peace

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of National Defense (DND) has challenged China to prove its sincerity in its commitment to peace by stopping its military buildup and construction activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said while China’s call for peace is a welcome development, the Chinese should do more by stopping activities that go against international law.

“We call on China’s government to show its sincerity by stopping all ongoing construction and militarization activities and to refrain from restricting freedom of flight and navigation in the West Philippine Sea,” Galvez said over the weekend.

“The Chinese leadership should go beyond deceitful rhetoric, claiming peaceful efforts before all their aggression takes a greater and irreparable toll on the region and beyond,” he added.

On Thursday, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with a lavish military parade near Tiananmen Square in Beijing that involved about 12,000 soldiers, 200 air assets and 500 pieces of military hardware.

Another highlight of the celebration was Chinese President Xi Jinping’s announcement that he would reduce the country’s 2.3 million-strong military by 300,000.

Amid concerns over China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea, Xi said his nation remains committed to peace and would never seek expansion.

“We Chinese love peace. No matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation,” Xi said.