On July 3, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded to U.S. Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley’s claims, made at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on June 30, that China is aiming to exceed the U.S. in military power by mid-century. “Some in the U.S. with evil intentions misrepresent facts and constantly hype up the China military threat narrative,” Wang responded to a question from Global Times at his regular press briefing in Beijing. “They are in fact creating excuses for their efforts of arms expansion, maintaining military hegemony and sabotaging regional peace and stability and finding ways to stoke tensions in the Taiwan Strait and use Taiwan to contain China.”
China pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and remains committed to peaceful development, he said. “China’s military growth means a stronger force for world peace and is conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia Pacific and beyond. Realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of the Chinese people and we will strive for the prospects of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts,” he replied. (https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202307/t20230703_11107008.html)
