Official: PLA 'confident and capable' of tackling threats

The Chinese military will staunchly protect China's maritime rights and interests and is "fully confident and capable of addressing various security threats and provocations", a senior military leader said today.

State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan made the comments at a reception in Beijing marking the 89th birthday of the People's Liberation Army.

Although Chang did not directly name the South China Sea situation, tension there has been heightened since earlier this year by increased US patrols and the arbitration case sought by Manila against Beijing.

The PLA will "unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, including territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests", he said.

"It will always stand ready to be called upon and be able to fight and win," he said.

When reaffirming China's defensive defense policy, China said the PLA will provide more public security goods through enhanced participation in UN peacekeeping, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Also, Chang touched upon the cross-Straits situation by reiterating that both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan "are part of the one and same China".

"Adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to 'Taiwan Secession' is the political foundation for cross-Straits relations to develop peacefully", he said.

"Any secessionist attempts in any form, by anyone, at any time will never be accepted by the PLA, the 1.3 billion Chinese people or the Chinese nation as a whole" Chang added.