Page 11 - ARUBA TODAY

A11
WORLD NEWS Thursday 8 June 2017

Beijing lashes out over Pentagon report on Chinese military

By CHRIS BODEEN tary bases in countries with
Associated Press which it has a longstand-
BEIJING (AP) — Beijing says ing friendly relationship
it is “firmly opposed” to a and similar strategic inter-
Pentagon report that high- ests, such as Pakistan, and
lighted China’s construc- in which there is a prec-
tion of military facilities on edent for hosting foreign
man-made islands in the militaries,” the Pentagon
disputed South China Sea report said. “This initiative,
and speculated that Bei- along with regular naval
jing would likely build more vessel visits to foreign ports,
both reflects and amplifies
bases overseas. China’s growing influence,
The annual report made extending the reach of its
“irresponsible remarks on armed forces.”
China’s national defense The assessment also fo-
development and reason- cused on the military build-
able actions in defending up in the Spratly Islands
our territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea,
and security interests in which China claims virtual-
disregard of the facts,” ly in its entirety. It said that
foreign ministry spokes- as of late last year, China
woman Hua Chunying told was building 24 fighter-
reporters Wednesday. sized hangars, fixed-weap-
“China is firmly opposed ons positions, barracks, ad- In this April, 2017 photo, an airstrip, structures and buildings on China’s man-made Subi Reef in
the Spratly chain of islands in the South China Sea are seen from a Philippine Air Force C-130
to that,” Hua said, adding ministration buildings and transport plane of the Philippine Air Force. Beijing says it is “firmly opposed” to a Pentagon report
that her government was communication facilities on the Chinese military that highlighted China’s construction of military facilities on made-made
a force for safeguarding on each of the three larg- islands in the South China Sea and speculated that Beijing would likely build more military bases
peace and stability in the est outposts — Fiery Cross, overseas.
Asia-Pacific region and the Subi and Mischief Reefs. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
world. While Hua declined China claims the bases are
to comment on possible there to improve naviga- with defensive capabilities. sovereign state,” Hua said, a threat, and its criticism of
overseas bases, she said tion safety and assistance “That we develop national without mentioning the is- the annual Pentagon as-
China and Pakistan — one for fishermen. defense is to safeguard lands directly. sessment is part of a drive
of the countries consid- But it also says they help re- China’s independent sov- While China objects vocal- to avoid being perceived
ered most likely to host a inforce China’s sovereignty ereignty and territorial in- ly to U.S. naval operations as attempting to seize the
Chinese military presence claims and that China is ful- tegrity. in the South China Sea, it mantle as the region’s
— were close friends that ly entitled to provide them It is a legitimate right of a is eager not to be seen as dominant military force. q
conduct mutually benefi-
cial cooperation in a vari- Philippines asks social media to remove militant video
ety of fields.
China is now building its first MANILA, Philippines (AP) shows militants ripping a fan hatred,” Padilla told dilla said.
overseas base in Djibouti, — Philippine military offi- picture of Pope Francis, reporters. “It is intended by He said those killed since
which it says will help facili- cials said Wednesday that toppling a crucifix, and these militants to ... sow ha- the fighting broke out on
tate its participation in an- they’ve asked social media stomping on and torching tred among Christians and May 23 include 20 civilians,
ti-piracy patrols in the Gulf companies including Face- religious statues. Muslims.” He urged social 134 militants and 39 gov-
of Aden and U.N. peace- book to remove a video of Militants aligned with the media users not to spread ernment troops. More than
keeping operations in the militants smashing icons in Islamic State group con- the video and not to “buy 1,500 civilians have been
region. The base is near a Catholic church in a be- tinue to control pockets of into the plan of these rescued.
Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. sieged southern city, saying territory in Marawi, where groups to inflame the feel- The militants’ “world is con-
base in the Horn of Africa it may be an attempt to fan they laid siege more than ings” of followers of various tinuously growing smaller
nation, although American hatred and turn the conflict two weeks ago. They are religions in the predomi- and smaller every day,”
military leaders have said into a religious war. believed to be still holding nantly Catholic country. Padilla said.
they don’t see it as threat- Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, a Catholic priest and many “This is not a religious war, Police and military opera-
ening U.S. operations. the military spokesman, other hostages. this is a terror attack on tives arrested several sus-
“China most likely will seek also urged netizens not “We requested that this be the city of Marawi, and we pected militants Tuesday
to establish additional mili- to share the video, which pulled out because it may must be clear about it,” Pa- outside of Marawi.q