Chinese defense official: It's the US that lack military transparency

Translated by People's Daily Online

An exclusive interview with Qian Lihua

Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of China's Ministry of National Defense, said that military transparency is a much talked about topic during bilateral exchanges. Frankly speaking, the United States itself, which has been urging China to increase military transparency, lacks military transparency during military exchanges with China. During the visit of a Chinese delegation to a U.S. air base, the U.S. military enclosed its F-22 fighter jet with a rope to keep Chinese visitors away from it. By contrast, when Michael Mullen, then chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited China last year, he was not only allowed to see a Su-27 fighter jet, but also invited to sit in its cabin. At the time, even the American correspondents marveled at China's great transparency and sincerity.

Actually, each country has the right to decide the time, contents and degree to disclose its military matters according to its own security interests. Importantly, Chinese military shows its sincerity on opening to the outside. It is a matter of opinion if some people always treat Chinese military with prejudice, and China does not have to take it seriously.

"Military diplomacy is the contest of strength and wisdom"

As for the opportunities and challenges faced by military diplomacy, Qian said that the strengthening of comprehensive national strength and military strength will provide strong supports and a broader arena for China's military diplomacy and the concerns and supports of the people will inspire Chinese military to faithfully fulfill their mission. Meanwhile, as the current international security and the situation in Asia-Pacific are undergoing profound and complex changes and China has collided with some countries on the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights issues, the military diplomacy is faced with severe challenges. However, China always pursues a peaceful foreign policy and peaceful settlement of disputes. The military forces are the last resort to solve problems, which is in line with the fundamental interests of Chinese people.

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