Chinese Central Military Commission Official Zhang Zhenzhong: We Have Deployed 'Defense Facilities' In Response To 'Provocation' Of Other Countries; The U.S. Is A Source Of Global Instability; The Taiwan Issue Could Spark A China-U.S. Conflict

Zhang Zhenzhong, the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, said in an address that was posted on the New China TV YouTube channel on June 12, 2022 that China has deployed "defense facilities" throughout its territory as "necessary" measures in response to "provocative" actions made by other countries. He said that the United States is a source of international instability and the "biggest force" driving the "militarization" of the South China Sea, and he elaborated that the Taiwan issue could easily lead to a conflict between China and the United States if it is mishandled. In addition, Zhang said that China's People's Liberation Army stands ready to "resolutely safeguard" China's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity "at any cost."

Zhang Zhenzhong: "China has to take necessary counter measures to respond to the provocative action of other countries. The counter measures we have taken are conducted in a professional and safe way. We have deployed necessary defense facilities in our own territory. It is a natural right of a sovereign country to do so. It is also a necessary response to the provocative actions of other parties. It is fair to say the United States is the biggest force driving the militarization of the South China Sea.

"The Taiwan question is the one question that could most easily lead the China - U.S. relations into conflict. Mishandling of the Taiwan question will have a destructive impact on bilateral ties.

"The People's Liberation Army always stands ready to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity at any cost. The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy is a strategy that goes against historical trends and prevailing will of regional countries. It only serves the U.S. own interests and therefore is doomed to failure.

"Facts have proved that the United States is the biggest source of instability in international order, the backstage manipulator for global turmoil and a dangerous threat to regional peace and stability."