China has issued a stern warning that it will crush any foreign entity attempting to interfere in its territory, including the disputed waters that encompass the West Philippine Sea.
This statement was made by Chinese Army Lieutenant General He Lei, who expressed hope that the contested waters would remain a “sea of peace.”
However, Lt. Gen. He emphasized that if the United States secretly mobilizes its allies or pushes nations to the front line—or if the U.S. itself takes the front line—China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is determined to destroy any foreign force that dares to infringe on China’s territorial, sovereign, and maritime rights.
Tensions between China and the U.S. have escalated in recent months due to Beijing’s increasingly assertive stance over the disputed maritime regions, including the South China Sea.
On Thursday, Lt. Gen. He further stated that the resolution of these tensions lies in the hands of the United States.