Philippine Defense Department on Xi statement, PLA display: Stop deceitful rhetoric

From Ang Malaya (Sep 5): Philippine Defense Department on Xi statement, PLA display: Stop deceitful rhetoric

The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomes the recent pronouncement of Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding China’s commitment to peaceful development, however, DND also questions the display of offensive weaponry after a massive military parade in Beijing and a video entitled 3D Simulation of Island War surfacing on social networking sites.

“The Department welcomes the Chinese Leadership’s recent pronouncement that they are committed to peace; but why the display of offensive weaponry,” the DND said in a statement released today, September 5.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said during China’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War 2, “China will remain committed to peaceful development. We Chinese love peace. No matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation.”

However, the DND believes action speaks loader that words. “We call on China’s government to show its sincerity by, at least, stopping all ongoing construction and militarization activities, and to refrain from restricting freedom of flight and navigation in the West Philippine Sea,” DND said.

DND added that the “Chinese leadership should go beyond deceitful rhetoric, claiming peaceful efforts, before all their aggression takes a greater and irreparable toll on the region and beyond. We have heard peace-loving Chinese people living in many communities all over the world echoing this sentiment.”

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/09/05/13124-philippine-defense-department-on-xi-statement-pla-display-stop-deceitful-rhetoric