Bilateral, multilateral security cooperation must be conducive to regional peace, stability: spokesperson

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday warned countries in the East China Sea and South China Sea regions to refrain from bringing harm to themselves while taking risks for others.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the trilateral security meeting between the US, Japan, and the Philippines at a regular press conference.

The situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea regions is generally stable at present, Zhang said. "Certain countries outside the region, for their selfish interests, have been muddying the waters through military provocation and bloc confrontation, which has exacerbated regional tension."

The spokesperson stressed China's consistent stance that bilateral and multilateral security cooperation must be conducive to regional peace and stability and should not target a third party or harm a third party's interests.

"We urge relevant countries to stop harming China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and stop saying or doing anything that would further complicate the situation," Zhang said.

The Chinese military will watch closely for any change in the situation and take resolute and strong measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, he added.