During a press conference at the State Council Information Office on July 31, the day before the 85th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), officials gave a presentation about the PLA's development with a theme highlighting the Chinese military's importance in safeguarding world peace, followed by a Q&A session with journalists.

The officials included Geng Yansheng, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense; Wu Xihua, Deputy Director of the Emergency Response Office of the PLA General Staff Headquarters; Wang Yongsheng, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office of the General Office the PLA General Political Department; Jia Xiangyu, Director of the Operation Planning Bureau of the Operation Department of the PLA General Logistics Department; and Lin Bai, Deputy Director of the General Affairs Bureau of the Comprehensive Planning Department of the PLA General Armament Department.

China opposes incorrect notions

Speaking about China's military system, Wang Yongsheng explained that China's ruling Party, the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the Chinese Government exercise leadership over the military in a highly integrated form. The PLA therefore belongs to the CPC as well as to the state and the people. It is only natural that China's military, as a component of its state apparatus, should be subordinate to and in service of the country's ruling Party, Wang said.

There are some in the international community who are bent on making an issue of China's military system, spreading the erroneous idea that the Chinese military should be a depoliticized and nationalized entity with no party affiliations, Wang said. Some critics even instigate the Chinese military to break away from the leadership of the CPC. These views have ulterior motives, he said, adding that China is resolutely opposed to them.

Aircraft carrier trials continue

In response to a question about China's aircraft carrier, Lin Bai said that as a large marine combat platform, the aircraft carrier needs to undergo a series of experiments and tests. Initial sea trials of the carrier have made smooth progress and achieved expected results.

Further scientific tests and exercises will be conducted on the carrier platform in the future, Lin said. Follow-up work will be determined in accordance with their results. "The Great Wall was not built in a day," he said, calling on the public to take a rational and objective view of the aircraft carrier.

Sansha garrison is a domestic affair

Asked whether China is prepared to wage a war in the South China Sea, Geng Yansheng said China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters is indisputable. The Chinese military opposes any outside military interference in the region. In accordance with relevant provisions, the Chinese military has put in place a standard combat-ready patrol system in waters under its jurisdiction. The system, which does not target other countries or specific aims, intends to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and marine interests. There is no reason whatsoever to equate the just measures taken by the PLA Navy to protect national interests to a hard-line foreign policy, Geng added.

The so-called "South China Sea issue" should be solved through bilateral negotiations between concerned countries, Geng stated. China is willing to develop friendly and cooperative relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in various fields including defense and security in order to jointly promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, he affirmed.

When addressing a question about the Sansha garrison, Geng said the establishment of a garrison in Sansha was a normal arrangement made by the Chinese military in accordance with provisions on China's administrative division and military deployment. China set up this garrison on its own territory--a domestic affair of China that has nothing to do with other countries, he said.

PLA boosts modernization efforts

At a press conference, officials said the Chinese military has made important contributions to world peace and regional stability. Along with progress in science and technology and the growth of comprehensive national strength, the Chinese military has made big strides in its modernization. However, it still lags behind the world's leading military forces. China develops weapons and military equipment at a moderate pace to meet the needs of protecting its own security and development. It will not engage in an arms race with or pose a military threat to any other country, let alone overstretch its national power and economic strength in pursuit of weapons development.

The Chinese military has a long way to go in its modernization program, Geng said. As the PLA redoubles its efforts, he hopes Chinese people will offer strong support, he added.

Japanese remarks infringe upon China's sovereignty

Some Japanese officials have recently made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Diaoyu Islands, Geng said. These erroneous comments violate China's sovereignty and are bound to arouse opposition from Chinese people, he said.

Safeguarding China's sovereignty and marine interests is a shared responsibility of concerned departments, including the military, he said, adding that the military will collaborate with other departments while earnestly fulfilling its own duties.