The former vice president of the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences says the Chinese military has firm determination and strong will to protect national sovereignty. Lieutenant General He Lei made the remarks regarding external interference in China's internal affairs.

ZHAO YUNFEI CGTN Reporter "The Philippines is constantly creating new conflicts in the South China Sea, including illegally intruding into the Xianbin Jiao. What do you think of the recent developments in the South China Sea?"

HE LEI PLA Academy of Military Sciences "The Philippines and China are close neighbors and have a traditional friendship. However, since June 2022, the Philippines has quickly turned to the United States and strengthened their military alliance, especially in Huangyan Dao, Ren'ai Jiao, and now Xianbin Jiao, frequently provoking incidents to interfere with and undermine China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines is unwilling to listen to dissuasion. This behavior is a serious violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. It is a unilateral change of the status quo and an act that undermines the rules of international law."

ZHAO YUNFEI CGTN Reporter "We have seen that the United States continues to provide arms sales to Taiwan, and the latest round of arms sales includes attack drones. What do you think of the current situation regarding arms sales?"

HE LEI PLA Academy of Military Sciences "The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, whether for offensive or defensive purposes, are arming Taiwan, condoning 'Taiwan independence,' and undermining the security of the Taiwan Strait. I believe that no matter how much the U.S. arms sales are, no matter what weapons they are, they cannot stop the great cause of the reunification of the Chinese nation."

ZHAO YUNFEI CGTN Reporter "The South China Sea issue and the Taiwan question we just talked about both involve external interference. How does the People's Liberation Army deal with such external forces?"

HE LEI PLA Academy of Military Sciences "Resolutely defending the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is the sacred duty and historical mission of the People's Liberation Army. The Chinese people and the People's Liberation Army will never allow any external forces to interfere in China's internal affairs or invade China's territory. The People's Liberation Army has made all preparations. It is ready to resolutely crush any interference and aggression by any foreign enemy with firm determination, strong will, powerful capabilities, and effective means."