This transcript primarily covers China's perspective on several international events, focusing on its relationships with the US, the Philippines, and the LAC (Latin America and Caribbean) region, as well as its stance on sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Regarding the South China Sea, China criticizes the US for its frequent military presence, characterizing it as "flexing its muscles" and a root cause for instability and maritime security issues. This statement followed reports of two US Navy aircraft crashes during operations in the area. While offering humanitarian assistance if requested, China emphasized that the crashes occurred during military drills and reiterated its belief that the US military activity is provocative. China also addresses the Philippines, stating that their "provocative actions" are the root cause of tensions in the South China Sea. Despite this, China claims it is willing to settle maritime differences through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, emphasizing the importance of jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the region through the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and promoting Code of Conduct (COC) consultations. China urges relevant countries to uphold DOC provisions, stop provocative actions, and cease hyping tensions.
On US-China relations beyond the South China Sea, the spokesperson addresses US media reports that China has become an influential military actor in Latin America. China dismisses this as an exaggeration used to justify the US's geopolitical prominence. It maintains that the "China threat narrative" is a manufactured external challenge that allows Washington to maintain its role as a guarantor of security. China asserts that its cooperation with LAC countries is peaceful and supportive, with no military agenda or political calculations. It highlights the region's desire for peace and the prohibition of nuclear weapons, asserting that the narrative of China as a threat is unconvincing to the people of LAC. China insists that it is the US, with its unilateral military operations, that disrupts peace and stability in the region.
The transcript also touches upon US-China trade talks and the topic of TikTok. While the spokesperson refrained from specific details, referring those to "competent authorities," they reiterated China's consistent position on TikTok.
Finally, the spokesperson addresses the anti-sanctions day, which commemorates the day where the Southern African Development Community (SADC) calls for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed by the West on Zimbabwe. China supports Zimbabwe's hosting of commemorative events and condemns the decades-long sanctions imposed by the US and other Western countries as an act of "hegemonism" that undermines Zimbabwe's sovereignty, infringes on its people's rights to development, disrupts South-South cooperation, and harms international fairness and justice.