The People's Liberation Army is fully prepared to handle any provocations or emergencies during the coming Beijing Winter Olympics, according to a military spokesperson.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday afternoon in response to a request for a comment on the possibility of military activities by the United States and its allies in regions surrounding China during the Winter Olympics.

Wu added that it is shameful that the US military takes pride in acknowledging that its warship — the USS Mustin — conducted reconnaissance on China's aircraft carrier, the CNS Liaoning in April 2021 for intentionally tactical purposes.

"It is astonishing that the US feels proud, rather than ashamed, of such military provocation," he said. "They truly need a cure for their hegemonic syndrome and cognitive impairment."

The USS Mustin is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that is part of the US Seventh Fleet's Destroyer Squadron 15, which is based in Yokosuka, Japan.