Beijing - Saba:
The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that China, Russia and Iran will conduct joint naval exercises in the waters off the Iranian port of Chabahar in the first half of March.
A statement by the ministry on its website, as reported by the Russian Sputnik News Agency, said: "The naval forces of China, Russia and Iran will conduct joint exercises in the first half of March."
It indicated that the exercises will take place in the waters near the Iranian port of Chabahar.
On March 6, China responded to the statements of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that "his country does not want war with China, but will rebuild its army under the leadership of US President Donald Trump to prepare for war."
"The relevant remarks by the US official deliberately incite ideological confrontation and promote the so-called 'China threat' rhetoric," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
"We urge the US to stop projecting its hegemonic mentality onto China, not to view China-US relations through the lens of outdated Cold War thinking, and not to use the cover of strategic competition to carry out actual containment and suppression against China. Beijing's position is clear and consistent," Lin said at a press conference.
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