MANILA, Philippines — Beijing considers itself a “role model in observing regional and rules” while it has been blatanly ignoring an arbitration ruling on the South China Sea.
In response to a report by the US Department of Defense stating that Beijing might use its military expansion to compel Taiwan into a reunification with the mainland, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said such observations were baseless.
“We maintain that interests shall be protected by rules, not by weapons. In fact, as you may have all noted, even for a country as militarily powerful as the US, it cannot have its way in everything it does,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing earlier this week.
Hua added that Beijing strengthens its own defense capabilities to protect its own sovereignty and security.
China has overlapping claims with several other countries in the South China Sea, including the Philippines.