By Prem Sagar Poudel
The recent military exercises conducted by China’s PLA Navy (People’s Liberation Army) in the Pacific Ocean have attracted the attention of various countries around the world. The media and officials in Australia and New Zealand have presented this as military tension, but from China’s perspective, it is a normal military exercise. Which is consistent with international legal norms and protects China’s security and economic interests.
Chinese military officials and military experts have consistently made it clear that China’s military exercises are not an attempt to improve military capabilities, but area part of security policy and sovereign legal rights. In the PLA Navy’s recent exercises, the exercises involving the Zunyi destroyer, Hengyang frigate, and Weishanhu supply ship are crucial for China to maintain the security of international sea routes and regional influence.
Sea routes play a crucial role in China’s economic growth. The major waterways in the Pacific Ocean are essential for China’s trade, energy supplies, and imports of raw materials. The safe operation of sea routes for the supply of petroleum and minerals is of vital importance to China. For this reason, PLA Navy exercises are regular and necessary for safeguarding China’smilitary and economic security.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, Wu Qian has clearly stated in response to Australia’s accusations that “China is conducting these naval exercises in international waterways and up to the Australian coast. And, all activities are in line with international legal norms.” In fact, China is a member of the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its rights in maritime practices are fully ensured.
According to China’s international legal perspective, its military exercises are conducted in compliance with humanitarian rules and safety standards at sea. For example, the US and NATO military exercises in Gibraltar, the military exercises between Pakistan and India, and the Russian military exercises, despite international criticism, are all considered legally acceptable. China sees such exercises as an attempt to undermine legitimacy and prevent instability.
According to Chinese military experts, China’s expansion of maritime power is not only necessary for regional security, but also for international peace and stability. Fu Qianshao, according to Global Times, a Chinese military expert said, “The PLA Navy vessels operate in distant waters to conduct training exercises while safeguarding trade and economic interests.” Its main objective is to ensure equal rights for all countries, in the sea, which ensures China’s trade access and world peace.
For China, the importance of military exercise is not limited to demonstration, it is also part of international security policy. China’s military presence at sea is important for its strategic preparedness and the accretion of nationalist ideology, which not only strengthens the regional power structure, but also helps in the safe operation of trade routes.
The responses from Australia and New Zealand are inconsistent with China’s freedom and legal right to conduct international military exercises. However, China’s Ministry of Defense has denied these allegations, stating that it will not affect commercial flights, citing safety concerns in local airspace.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said, “Not only are the exercises in line with international law. But China’s naval exercises, which align with international law, are expected to become more frequent, and some countries should adjust to this trend.” In addition, China’s military growth and technological advancements show that China is preparing to respond as a regional power.
China’s military exercises, which have agitated the concerns and reactions of Western nations, are a necessary step to safeguard China’s security and global prosperity. The PLA Navy’s military exercises are conducted in accordance with international law and maritime rights, and play an essential role in protecting China’s commercial routes and expanding its regional influence. China considers criticism from Australia and New Zealand excessive and meaningless, it indicates the possibility of further strengthening its military policy and security strategy.
