Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on November 27, 2025

By Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) at the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of November 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)

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

Jiang Bin: Good afternoon. Welcome to today's regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Jiang Bin: I have one thing to announce at the top.

The military's inaugural report meeting of a lecture tour on the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was launched in Beijing on November 3. Zhang Youxia, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the CMC, and Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the CMC, met with the lecturers and listened to their reports.

After the meeting, the lecturing team will be divided into five groups to give 20 lectures across the military. The lecture series will expound on such topics as the guiding principles, major objectives, strategic tasks, significant measures, and fundamental guarantees of economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan Period, and will also delve into the important strategy for modernizing national defense and the armed forces over the next five years.

The Party, the country, and the military have secured significant new achievements continuously. The officers and soldiers have gained a profound understanding that we owe all these remarkable achievements to President Xi Jinping, who has been at the helm charting the course, and to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which has provided sound guidance to advance our cause. Two Affirmations are the greatest certainty, confidence, and guarantee for us to prevail over all difficulties and obstacles. The officers and soldiers have proactively translated the political enthusiasm gained from studying the plenum spirit into concrete actions to excel in their duties, maintaining a sustained drive in military training and combat readiness.

The blueprint has been drafted, and it is time to forge forward. We will thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and the military strategic guideline for a new era, focusing on high-quality development and prioritizing the political loyalty of the armed forces. We will also make efforts to speed up the development of advanced combat capabilities, modernize military governance, and consolidate and improve integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities. By doing so, we will keep modernizing national defense and the armed forces and enhancing our military's strategic capacity to defend our national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Journalist: It was reported that the Chinese government just released a white paper titled China's Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era. Could you please give us more information about it?

Jiang Bin: China has played a constructive role in global security governance and promoting international arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, contributing significantly to world peace and stability. The white paper titled China's Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation in the New Era is the first of its kind on arms control issued since the 18th CPC National Congress. It is a concrete step taken by China to actively implement the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, serving as a declaration of China's commitment in the new era to safeguard global peace and security, uphold the post-WWII international order, and advance the multilateral arms control process.

The newly released white paper gives a comprehensive explanation on a series of President Xi Jinping's major and innovative visions, concepts and propositions on global security governance and international arms control. It outlines China's position and propositions regarding arms control in traditional security domain as well as security governance in emerging fields. Furthermore, it expounds on China's arms control policies in the new era, provides a strategic assessment of the current international security and arms control landscape, and details the country's concrete efforts to advance international arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation. The document thus underscores China's firm resolve and sense of responsibility to strengthen arms control, maintain strategic stability, and reduce the hazards of war.

No matter how the international landscape evolves, China stands ready to work together with all peace-loving countries to strengthen global security governance, uphold global fairness and justice, advance multilateral arms control, safeguard global strategic stability, inject more certainty and positive energy into a fluid and turbulent world, and join all parties in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, the Chinese and US militaries held the second working group meeting and the annual session of the Maritime Military Communication Agreement (MMCA) from November 18 to 20 in Hawaii. How does the Chinese side evaluate the current China-US military-to-military relationship? Are there any other planned exchanges between the two sides in the near future? Secondly, the Japanese side claimed that a plan to station medium-range surface-to-air missiles at the Yonaguni Island 110 kilometers east of Taiwan is making steady progress. According to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the deployment will lower the risk of Japan being attacked, and it will not intensify regional tensions. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: On your first question, representatives from the Chinese and US militaries held the second working group meeting and the annual session of the Maritime Military Communication Agreement (MMCA) in Hawaii from November 18 to 20. The meetings were held to implement the consensus between the Chinese Defense Minister and the US Secretary of War on strengthening communication and exchanges between troops on the ground to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, manage risks and crises, and add positive factors to building a stable and positive mil-mil relationship featuring equality, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. As for exchanges in the near future, the two sides maintain contact at the working level. We will release information in due course.

As for your second question, the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China. How to solve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, and has nothing to do with Japan. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. Instead of repenting for its war crimes of invading and colonizing Taiwan, Japan is taking an extremely wrong approach by suggesting military intervention into a so-called Taiwan contingency. This dangerous approach will uproot the post-WWII international order, and lead Japan to repeat the mistakes of its militarist past. The PLA has strong capabilities and reliable means to defeat any aggressors. Should the Japanese side dare to cross the red line and invite troubles to itself, it is destined to pay a heavy price.

Journalist: The PLA started military operations in the waters of the northern Yellow Sea near the Bohai Strait on November 23 and the operations will run through until December 7. Are these exercises intended to warn Japan? Recently, the Chinese military sent messages through multiple channels about its readiness to fight and win at any time. Given that the Japanese side rejected to retract relevant remarks, will the PLA take more actions to pressure Japan in the next step?

Jiang Bin: The root cause for deteriorating relations between China and Japan lies in that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi blatantly made erroneous remarks relating to Taiwan. Since Japan's surrender in 1945, it was the first time for a Japanese leader to publicly clamor for something like "what's happening in Taiwan is directly linked to Japan" and relate it to the right of collective self-defense. Such claims revealed for the first time Japan's intent to have armed intervention in the Taiwan question. It was also the first-ever threat using force against China made by Japan. Relevant remarks, which blatantly challenge China's core interests, are extremely wrong, dangerous and egregious. It is the Chinese military's sacred duty to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. We will show no mercy to any aggressive moves and crush them with a head-on blow.

Journalist: It was reported that the PLA National University of Defense Technology hosted the 4th China-ASEAN Mid-and-junior Level Officer Exchange. Please share more details about the event.

Jiang Bin: The 4th China-ASEAN Mid-and-junior Level Officer Exchange was held in China from November 17 to 24. More than 30 mid-and-junior level officers from ASEAN countries participated in the event, and exchanged views with their Chinese counterparts on historical memories, regional security and cooperation methods. They toured Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Kunshan, and visited military and civilian installations, gaining a first-hand experience of the speed and outcomes of the Chinese path to modernization.

The China-ASEAN Mid-and-junior Level Officer Exchange serves as an important platform for the two sides to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and to carry forward the traditional friendship. Since its inception in 2019, the event has been widely welcomed and acclaimed by ASEAN countries. Participating mid-and-junior level officers have strengthened their sense of the common responsibility to safeguard regional peace and stability, thereby injecting positive energy into building an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Journalist: It was reported that the Japanese government sold its domestically produced Patriot air-defense missiles to the US. It was the first export of deadly weapons since Japan relaxed controls on its arms export. Besides, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has started discussions on revising its three security documents, including the revision of its three non-nuclear principles and increasing its defense spending. What's your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: It is an ironclad fact that Japan was a defeated country in WWII. International treaties and instruments such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, explicitly ban Japan from rearmament. The international community must be on high alert against Japan's revisionist attempts to break away from the restraints of its pacifist Constitution by brazenly expanding its military build-up, drastically increasing its defense budget, expediting the revision of its security policies, relaxing restrictions on weapons export, and attempting to revoke the three non-nuclear principles. It is even attempting to intervene militarily on the Taiwan question. These moves pose serious threats to regional peace and stability.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. People around the world, especially those from China and other victimized countries in Asia, will never forget the catastrophe brought by Japanese Fascists. The specter of Japanese militarism must never be allowed to haunt the world again. We urge the Japanese side to fully repent for its war crimes and immediately abandon dangerous attempts in constitutional revision and military build-up. Any attempt to repeat the evil path of aggression and expansion and undermine the post-WWII international order will not succeed.

Journalist: According to Japanese media reports, a JSDF representative noted that if the Chinese aircraft carrier PLANS Fujian were to engage in military actions in the Taiwan Strait, Japanese and American forces would be able to destroy it. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: A simple response to such ignorant remarks: sheer illusion. One should never overestimate its own strength.

Journalist: After China took countermeasures against Sanae Takaichi's provocative remarks, the head of Taiwan's so-called external affairs department alleged that Taiwan would support Japan at critical moments as the mainland is bullying Japan through economic coercion and military threats. Lai Ching-te posted pictures on social media of himself eating Japanese food to show his support for Japan. What's your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Lai Ching-te has already been disgraced for fawning over Japan. This time, he is so obsequious that he's even licking Japan's boots. We warn the DPP authorities that any attempt to pursue "Taiwan independence" by soliciting support from external forces is doomed to fail. Anyone who betrays the nation and seeks to divide the country will be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Journalist: According to media reports, the Armed Forces of the Philippines posted on social media that the Philippine side co-hosted another multilateral maritime operation with the US Indo-Pacific Command and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force at the "West Philippine Sea". It claimed that such cooperation was a testament to ever-growing solidarity and cooperation in the region. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: Recently, the PLA Southern Theater Command organized a joint maritime patrol in the South China Sea. We warn the Philippine side to stop stirring up troubles in the South China Sea by soliciting external support. The Chinese military will keep on high alert and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea. Any attempt of infringements or provocations will not succeed.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, according to media reports, US Ambassador to Japan and Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State both mentioned this month that the US-Japan Security Treaty applies to the defense of the Diaoyu Dao. Some analyzed that the US intends to counter China's increasing pressure on Japan. What's your comment? Secondly, as was reported by Taiwan media on November 23, Taiwan's Marine Corps sent an established battalion for the first time to the US to participate in a military exercise this October. The battalion, with full manpower and equipment, traveled to the Guam for "joint forcible entry operations" by Taiwan's landing craft Yushan. During the exercise, participants from Taiwan played the role of the "PLA attacking force", while the US Marine Corps acted as the defending force. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: On your first question. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made blatant and erroneous remarks on Taiwan. Those remarks implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in a Taiwan contingency, which triggered outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people. Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. No matter what the US or Japan say or do, this fact will not change and China's resolve in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be wavered. Certain individuals in the US should act in ways that befit their positions and contribute to regional peace and stability, instead of provoking tensions and stirring up chaos.

On your second question, the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, which brooks no foreign interference. We firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the US and the Taiwan region. We warn the DPP authorities that any attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by soliciting support from external forces or reject reunification by force is doomed to failure.

Journalist: An investigation reveals that in recent years, Japan has spent over 13.1 billion yen in Taiwan on cultivating pro-Japanese influencers and relevant propaganda efforts. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: During its colonial rule of Taiwan, Japan aggressively enforced the so-called Kominka (Imperial Subject) Movement. Today, it is investing heavily in a more covert campaign of ideological and cultural infiltration targeting the people of Taiwan. This is an attempt to whitewash its own history of aggression and to strip the island's younger generation of their national and cultural identity as Chinese. History must not be distorted, nor can family ties be severed. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait must heighten their vigilance against Japan's political manipulation, resolutely oppose any betraying acts of fawning over Japan and forsaking one's ancestors, and be proud and upright Chinese.

Journalist: It was reported that the DPP authorities launched a massive mailing campaign to distribute civil defense handbooks to households across the island from November 19, marking an effort to strengthen public preparedness for emergencies, including the possibility of a military attack from the Chinese mainland. An official of the DPP authorities said that it shows Taiwan's determination to defend itself and people across the Strait should understand that there will be a huge cost if the Chinese mainland makes the wrong decision. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: The so-called handbooks concocted by the DPP authorities are packed with lies. They spread fear of war and create a tense, impending-war atmosphere, inciting confrontation and hostility across the Strait. This runs completely counter to the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which desires peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation. It fully exposes the DPP authorities' malicious intent to seek "Taiwan independence" by force and military buildup. We believe that our fellow Taiwan compatriots will see through the DPP authorities' true nature of harming Taiwan and will take active actions to jointly oppose the separatist forces' reckless attempts for "Taiwan independence", safeguard their own security and well-being as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We hope the compatriots on both sides of the Strait will work together to achieve national reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Journalist: I have two questions. First, a major fire broke out in a residential building in Tai Po District of the New Territories, Hong Kong. Various sectors of society have provided assistance. May I ask whether the PLA Hong Kong Garrison has any plan to offer help? Second, according to reports, the Pentagon suggested that Chinese companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD should be added to a federal list that tracks firms aiding the Chinese military. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: On your first question, we express our deep condolences to the deceased and the firefighter who lost his life, and sincerely convey sympathies to the families of the victims and the affected residents. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison will follow orders and fulfill their duties to safeguard Hong Kong in compliance with the law.

On your second question, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already given a response. We oppose any groundless hype of the so-called China military threat.

Journalist: According to reports, the task group consisting of PLANS Fujian, PLANS Yan'an, and PLANS Tongliao, recently conducted training on group navigation, ship-aircraft joint search and rescue (SAR), and takeoff and landing of carrier-based aircraft. This is the first maritime live training for PLANS Fujian since it was commissioned earlier this month. Please tell us more about that.

Jiang Bin: PLANS Fujian is China's first electromagnetic catapult-assisted aircraft carrier. It is a milestone for the PLA Navy in its course towards transformation and leapfrog development. Shortly after being commissioned, PLANS Fujian's first live training at sea tested its capabilities for electromagnetic aircraft launch and recovery, deck operations, and ship-aircraft adaptability. PLANS Fujian is making steady progress towards the generation of the formation's integrated combat capability.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, the recent maiden sea trial by China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, PLANS Sichuan, has attracted international attention. Could you please brief us more on the major improvements of the Type 076 compared to its predecessor, Type 075, in terms of combat capabilities and core technologies? Additionally, does the PLA Navy have a clear plan for mass production and systematic deployment of amphibious assault ships? Does the rapid advancement of naval equipment signify a shift in the PLA Navy's strategy toward far seas operations? Secondly, some Japanese scholars said that the Taiwan-related remarks of Sanae Takaichi is a preview of war to China. Will the Chinese military take further steps against continuous provocations of the Japanese side over China-related sensitive issues?

Jiang Bin: On your first question, as a new-generation amphibious assault ship, PLANS Sichuan will play a significant role in advancing the PLA Navy's transformation and modernization, as well as enhancing its capabilities of far seas operations. China's independent research and development of amphibious assault ships and other military equipment serves China's national security and supports the overall development of the PLA Navy. The goal is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to better protect peace and stability in the region and beyond.

On your second question, it is the Chinese military's sacred duty to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. We will show no mercy to any aggressive moves and crush them with a head-on blow.

Journalist: Lai Ching-te announced a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion over the next eight years, claiming that the mainland intends to use force to "coerce reunification, compel surrender and annex Taiwan". He also proposed two security action plans. What's your comment? Besides, he said that the mainland would complete preparations for reunification by force in 2027. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: Taiwan is a province of China, and there is no such thing as president in the region. Separatist actions for "Taiwan independence" and interference from external forces constitute the biggest threat to peace across the Taiwan Strait. The DPP authorities keep generating war scares, constantly devising new and costly schemes under the guise of soliciting external support for "Taiwan independence" or seeking "Taiwan independence" by force. These so-called plans are completely futile. They cannot stop the historical trend of national reunification and will only accelerate the demise of the "Taiwan independence" separatists.

Jiang Bin: As there are no more questions, I'd like to bring this press conference to a close. Thank you.