Beijing, May 6
China today did not confirm or deny reports that it had secretly built a major underground nuclear submarine base but said its military build-up was not a threat to any country.
“We have a vast territorial sea. It is the sacred duty of the Chinese army to safeguard our security on sea, the sovereignty of our territorial sea and maritime rights and interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a bi-weekly media briefing.
Qin, who was asked about reports on the submarine base, refrained from a direct reply but insisted “China follows the path of peaceful development and pursues a national defence policy, which is defensive in nature. China will always be the backbone of world peace”.
The base with a capacity to conceal 20 vessels posed a major threat to Asian countries and American interests in the region, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph said citing satellite imagery.
India has voiced its apprehensions over the build-up of Chinese submarines, with Naval Chief Admiral Suresh Mehta saying it was a “cause for security concern”.
Asked as to why China was keeping the underground part a secret, Qin said, “I have already answered your question. If you are interested in further details, please refer the question to the competent authorities”.
— PTI
