On the afternoon of December 5, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answers recent media queries concerning the military. (mod.gov.cn)

(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

Jiang Bin: I have a piece of news to announce at the top.

The Chinese and UAE militaries will hold Falcon Shield 2025 joint air force training in the UAE from December 9 to 22. This is the third time for the two militaries to conduct the serial training, which will help the two sides enhance mutual learning and deepen substantial cooperation on defense.

Journalist: It is reported that the Outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (the outline) compiled by the Political Work Department of the CMC has been published by the PLA Publishing House. Please share with us more details.

Jiang Bin: The publication of the Outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military helps the whole military to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, by facilitating the inclusion of the Thought in training curriculum and textbooks in military academies and enabling service members to internalize the Thought. It is an important step to better cultivate talent with great moral character and strong warfighting competence.

As a comprehensive and systematic textbook on Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, an authoritative reference for political theory curricula at military academies, and a significant outcome of the research on the systematization and theoretical development of the Party's military guiding theories in the new era, the outline is framed around the Eleven Clarifications in Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. It consists of an Introduction, 15 Chapters and a Conclusion. It expounds on the significance, scientific system, essence and practical requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, reflects the historic achievements and shifts in the cause of strengthening the military guided by the Thought, and interprets the Party's goal of building a strong military for the new era and the arrangements and requirements of elevating the people's military to world-class standards in all respects. It shows a new leap forward in adapting Marxist military theory to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, and the truth and strength in the Thought. The publication and use of the outline is of significance to better educating and arming the minds of the military by Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. It guides junior-level service members to have in-depth understanding of the decisive significance of the "Two Affirmations", lay solid political foundation of upholding the Party's leadership and building a strong military and endeavor to be a new generation capable of undertaking the vital mission of strengthening the military.

Journalist: It is reported that the Japanese government recently approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal year 2025, increasing its total defense expenditure to 11 trillion yen and achieving the goal of defense spending accounting for 2% of GDP ahead of schedule. In addition, the Japanese side is in negotiations with the Philippine side on the export of Japan Self-Defense Force's Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: In recent years, Japan has repeatedly breached its commitments under the pacifist Constitution, substantially increased its defense budget, pushed for the export of lethal weapons, and sought to revise its three non-nuclear principles. As it accelerates the pace of loosening restrictions on military development, Japan's militarism is poised to make a comeback. As the Chinese saying goes, "Individuals can't establish themselves without being trusted, just as a nation can't thrive without being credible." We urge the Japanese side to fully meet its obligations as a defeated country in WWII in accordance with international law, stop challenging the post-war international order, refrain from sabotaging peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, and not to say one thing but do another. Should the Japanese side insist on barreling down the wrong path, it shall provoke widespread outrage and ultimately face the judgment of both history and justice.

Journalist: The Chinese side recently released the white paper, China's Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era, urging Japan to destroy the abandoned chemical weapons (JACWs) thoroughly in a clean manner and at an early date. Please brief us on more details.

Jiang Bin: During the war of aggression against China, in blatant violation of international law, Japanese militarists used large amounts of chemical weapons, causing over 200,000 Chinese military and civilian casualties. To cover up its crime after being defeated, the Japanese side abandoned a large number of chemical weapons on Chinese territory, poisoning over 2,000 people. Until now, the JACWs still gravely jeopardize the safety of people's life and property and harm the environment.

The Japanese side should have destroyed the abandoned chemical weapons in China in a secure, clean and thorough way much earlier. Yet the overall disposal process has been severely delayed due to the lack of proactive efforts from the Japanese side. Eliminating the hazards of JACWs is Japan's unshirkable historical, political and legal responsibility, and also an international obligation under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Chinese side urges the Japanese side to conduct serious soul-searching on its crime of aggression, earnestly fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, increase input in various aspects, and make all-out efforts to expedite the JACWs disposal process. We request the Japanese side to spare no effort to collect and provide information about the JACWs for the Chinese side in a timely manner, fully assist us in leads search and identification, earnestly shoulder its responsibility in the treatment of polluted water and soil, so as to restore a safe and clean environment to the Chinese people at an early date, and "a world free of chemical weapons" for humanity.

Journalist: The Australian Department of Defense reportedly claimed that it monitored a Chinese naval flotilla possibly sailing towards Australia. Can you confirm the report?

Jiang Bin: The PLAN task group carries out far-seas training in accordance with international law and practice, which is not directed at any country or target.