Ms Fu Ying, NPC member and NPC spokeswoman, said at a press conference on March 4, that China's military spending wasn't aimed at its neighbors or the US, but that China would respond to any challenge to regional peace and stability. Xinhua quoted her as saying "Based on our history and experience, we believe that peace can only be maintained by strength." Adding that concerns about the increase are misplaced she said "We have heard such concerns…Indeed, certain countries have been selling the idea of China as a major threat, but we Chinese might ask, can a prosperous country such as China really achieve peace without a strong national defense?" Fu Ying also remarked that China advocated peaceful solutions to territorial disputes, but  would "respond effectively" to any attempt to sabotage regional stability.