Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defenseon January 29, 2026

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 January 29, 2026. (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 the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense. I have no information to announce at the top. The floor is now open for questions.

Journalist: As reported, Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping recently signed an order to promulgate the Regulation on Military Theory Work. Please brief us more on the regulation.

Jiang Bin: The promulgation of the Regulation on Military Theory Work is to accelerate the modernization of military theories. There are four points to highlight. First, to adapt to the new military structure, the regulation sets up an appropriate and efficient administrative system with a clear assignment of mandate and responsibilities. Second, it regulates the entire management process of military theory projects, providing a fundamental basis for units at all levels to conduct theoretical research. Third, the regulation bridges the gap between theoretical research and application of research outcomes, and forms a virtuous cycle of mutual reinforcement that enhances the contribution of military theories to combat effectiveness. Fourth, on improving supporting elements, it regulates matters including research personnel, conditions building, research disciplines, and academic exchanges to stimulate innovation in military theories. The regulation will play a significant role in comprehensively strengthening military theory work and building a modern system of military theories with Chinese characteristics.

Journalist: As reported, the defense ministers of China and Russia recently had a video phone call to exchange opinions on further strengthening bilateral military relations. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: On January 27, Defense Minister Dong Jun held video talks with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov. The two defense leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state and deepening cooperation between the two militaries. This year marks the 30th year of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th year of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have grown with a robust momentum. The two militaries have achieved extensive accomplishments in exchanges and cooperation in different areas and at different levels. These efforts play a significant role in safeguarding stability of the region and beyond.

The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Russian side to further strengthen strategic coordination, enrich the substance of cooperation, and resolutely support each other on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns. Together, we will make new contributions to deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era and ensuring global security and stability.

Journalist: The first question is that according to the 2026 National Defense Strategy released by the US Department of War, the US will deter China in the Asia-Pacific through strength, not confrontation, and seek a wider range of military-to-military communications with the PLA, so as to maintain strategic stability with China and allow for a decent peace. At the same time, the US will erect a strong denial defense along the First Island Chain to achieve a balance of military power in the region. May I have your comment on that?

My second question, it is reported that defense industrial companies and related institutions in Sweden, the UK, the US and Japan, have released computer-generated animation videos, in which vessels of the PLA Navy were struck or sunk. Some internet users commented that these companies were bragging about the capability of their own weapons by putting Chinese equipment on their "wish list". May I have your comment on that？

Jiang Bin: On your first question. Just like the mountain can never stop a flowing river from merging into the sea, the tide of history is unstoppable. Facts have proven that any attempt to contain or block China is doomed to fail. Following the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the right approach for China and the US to deal with each other. We are willing to work with the US side to promote steady development of bilateral relations. At the same time, we will resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We hope the US side can take an objective and rational perception of China, hold the bottom line of non-conflict and non-confrontation, stop hyping up the so-called China military threat, stop inciting bloc confrontation, stop saying one thing while doing the opposite on issues concerning China's core interests, and make concrete efforts to promote sound and steady development of the mil-to-mil relationship.

On your second question, as far as I know, Swedish defense enterprises have taken down the related videos. We believe the other parties should also do the right thing. Regarding such a self-satisfied behavior you mentioned, all I want to say is: you wish.

Journalist: We've noticed that the Japanese government has been making intensive moves to expand its military buildup. It has sent provocative signals in sensitive areas such as developing long-range missiles and loosening restrictions on weapons export, and has made covert arrangements with the US to further integrate operational command and control. What's your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Since the new administration took office, Japan has taken intensive moves to expand its military buildup and accelerated the loosening of restrictions on its military development. It has acquired offensive weapons under the pretext of strengthening "counterstrike capability" and openly advocated for nuclear armament. These moves violate Japan's obligations as a defeated country, stipulated in instruments with legal effect under international law such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. They pose a serious threat to peace and stability in Asia and the world, and have raised high vigilance among regional countries and the international community.

This year marks the 80th year of the commencement of the Tokyo Trials. The right-wing forces in Japan have made public their ambitions for remilitarization. China will work with all peace-loving nations to resolutely contain the resurgence of the spectre of militarism, and firmly defend the post-WWII international order, as well as international fairness and justice.

Journalist: Since January 23, China Coast Guard (CCG) forces had been involved in searching and rescuing overboard crew members from a capsized foreign cargo ship near China's Huangyan Dao. While expressing gratitude for China's rescue of Filipino crew members, a spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the Chinese side should respect the so-called exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. He also made unfounded accusations, alleging that the Chinese side intimidated, harassed or obstructed vessels. Do you have any comment on this?

Jiang Bin: On January 22, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship capsized in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao. The CCG's Dongsha ship and Sanmen ship, together with PLANS Dali, promptly headed to the maritime area for humanitarian search and rescue. They rescued 17 Filipino crew members from the water and provided them with food, medical checks and shelter. The crew members were handed over to the Philippine side on January 25, which expressed its gratitude. However, certain PCG spokesperson blatantly used this humanitarian act as a tool for malicious propaganda, which is utterly mean and shameful.

Life is priceless and compassion knows no borders. The PLA Navy and CCG are not only defenders of national sovereignty, but also guarantors of peace. We will continue to fulfill our duty of safeguarding China's maritime territory, make concrete efforts to uphold a maritime community with a shared future, and contribute more to building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Journalist: On January 27, Taiwan's legislative body, where lawmakers from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party hold a combined majority, once again vetoed the draft special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.8 billion) proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. According to a media outlet in Taiwan, this is the tenth time the draft has been blocked, indicating that it has no chance to be passed within the current session. May I have your comment?

Jiang Bin: The DPP authorities often deceive the public under various pretenses. They are engaging in shadowy dealings and have squandered the hard-earned money of the people in Taiwan to feed foreign arms dealers and line their own pocket. Such despicable acts have long lost public support. Instead of buying the so-called security, the NT$1.25 trillion will only further hollow out Taiwan and push the island closer to the brink of war. The more provocation the separatist forces made for "Taiwan independence", the sooner they will bring about their own destruction.

Journalist: The US Department of War recently released a new National Defense Strategy. Observers in Taiwan noted that the document did not mention Taiwan. Some analysts believe that, starting with the RAND Corporation's recommendation for the White House to support China's gradual reunification, recent key US documents, including the new National Security Strategy and the National Defense Authorization Act, all signal a strategic retreat from Taiwan. In last December, a report from the US Department of War also admitted that the US military is actually incapable of defending Taiwan. What's your comment on that?

Jiang Bin: The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference. China's resolve in protecting national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity is rock-solid. We have long stated that the DPP authorities' attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by soliciting external support is nothing but self-consolation. Those who willingly act as pawns will inevitably be abandoned.

Journalist: During his visit to the US this month, Japan's defense minister said that Japan and the US will enhance joint production of air-to-air missiles and surface-to-air interceptors, conduct combined exercises at multiple locations, including in southwestern Japan, and strengthen military presence in Japan's southwestern waters. Some analysts suggest that this is aimed at addressing the so-called military coercion from China. What is your comment?

Jiang Bin: China has always been a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world, which is widely recognized by the international community. Japan has repeatedly hyped up the so-called China threat to exaggerate regional tensions, divert public attention, or even provoke confrontation. These are all efforts to create excuses for itself to relax restrictions on military buildup and expansion. The international community should remain highly vigilant and firmly contain Japan's ambition. Otherwise, there will be great threats to regional security.

Journalist: Recently, the US and Russia held new talks on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The Russian side said that it is ready to respect the treaty for another year, but the other parties need to shoulder their respective responsibilities. What are China's concerns regarding US-Russia arms control and the global security situation?

Jiang Bin: The Chinese side appreciates the positive attitude shown by the Russian side. Our position on this issue is consistent.

As the two countries with the largest nuclear arsenals in the world, the US and Russia should fulfill their special and primary responsibilities for nuclear disarmament. They should resume the implementation of the New START Treaty, engage in discussions on follow-up arrangements, and continue to substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable, irreversible and legally-binding manner. This is also a shared expectation of the international community.

Journalist: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made further remarks to elaborate on her views on "a Taiwan emergency". She said that in the face of a Taiwan emergency, if US forces were attacked, Japan could not stand idly by, otherwise the Japan-US alliance would collapse. What's your comment on that?

Jiang Bin: The Japanese side has repeatedly manipulated Taiwan-related issues and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side has made its solemn position clear. Japan bears grave historical responsibility for the Taiwan question. Instead of truly reflecting on its past wrongdoings, Japan has once again attempted to meddle in the Taiwan question, which lays bare the ambitions of the right-wing forces in Japan to push for remilitarization and challenge the post-war international order. We urge the Japanese side to earnestly draw lessons from history, strictly abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, and handle Taiwan-related issues in a prudent and proper manner.

Journalist: It is reported that Taiwan's security department issued a report analyzing the so-called cognitive warfare tactics against Taiwan by the Chinese mainland. The report stated that Taiwan will continue to enhance situational awareness, and expose and remove online misinformation when necessary. What's your comment on that?

Jiang Bin: Who on earth is fabricating political rhetoric and manipulating public opinion? I believe compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait see this clearly. For a long time, the Lai Ching-te authorities have suppressed and blocked dissenting voices and deliberately promoted "de-sinicization", attempting to sever the historical and cultural ties between the mainland and Taiwan. They have even smeared everyday language, mainland cuisine, and music and dance as "political infiltration", maliciously escalating confrontation and antagonism across the Strait. This systematic cognitive deception is, in essence, an attempt to shift the blame for their own corruption and incompetence onto the mainland, mislead and deceive the people of Taiwan, divert public attention, and pursue political self-interest. This farce of manipulating "cognitive warfare" cannot conceal their panic over the loss of public support, nor can it sever the blood ties between compatriots across the Strait. On the contrary, such actions will only increase public opposition and accelerate their political bankruptcy.

Journalist: It is reported that Taiwan's defense authorities have announced that the Information, Communications, and Electronic Force has been reorganized into the army since the start of this year. The Force will focus on specialized areas, including cyber warfare and electronic warfare, and strengthen professional personnel training and recruitment. What's your comment on that?

Jiang Bin: The so-called Information, Communications, and Electronic Force you mentioned is nothing but a tool for pursuing "Taiwan independence" through cyber operations. Its members are criminals wanted by China's national security authorities in accordance with the law for their separatist acts. Those who serve as accomplices of the separatist forces will inevitably be held accountable by justice.

Journalist: A US think tank recently released a war game report modeling a so-called conflict across the Taiwan Strait, suggesting that if the US military were to intervene, it would suffer a severe defeat in the Western Pacific. Some US media outlets reported that senior US government officials demanded redaction to the report to avoid exposing the weaknesses of the US military. Another US think tank, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, claimed that if the Chinese mainland were to launch a large-scale military operation for reunification but failed, the PLA would abandon Taiwan Island and only control Kinmen and Matsu, at the cost of 100,000 casualties and trillions of dollars in economic losses. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: Some foreign think tanks, driven by ulterior motives, are accustomed to churning out sensational and eye-catching yet absurd narratives. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference. No nonsense can disrupt the historical trend that China will eventually and inevitably be reunified.

Journalist: First, at the end of 2025, the PLANS Fujian transited through the Taiwan Strait from the south to the north for the first time after its commissioning. Is the training proceeding smoothly?

Second, does rising tensions in the Middle East affect the routine operations of the PLA Navy's escort task forces in the waters off Somalia?

Third, according to Taiwan media reports, the Taiwan military intends to deploy the HIMARS rocket system to Penghu and Dongyin, together with tactical missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers, which would enable it to target PLA naval bases, missile bases and airports in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. What's your comment on that?

Jiang Bin:On your first question, since its commissioning, the PLAN Fujian has been carrying out various tests and training tasks as planned, steadily advancing toward the goal of developing integrated warfighting capabilities of the formation.

On your second question, the PLA Navy Escort Task Group continues to conduct escort operations in relevant waters and provide public security goods to the international community.

On your third question, compared to the PLA, what the "Taiwan Independence" armed forces are doing is simply overreaching themselves and making futile efforts. Attempts to embolden themselves with US weapons and provoke confrontation will only lead to self-destruction.

Journalist: With the formal commissioning of PLANS Fujian and its immediate participation in realistic training, the Chinese navy has entered the era of three aircraft carriers. As the combat capability of PLANS Fujian is being increasingly enhanced, has China made solid progress in building its fourth aircraft carrier?

Jiang Bin: I am not aware with the specific issue you mentioned. It needs to be pointed out that China advances the development of aircraft carriers according to the needs of national security and equipment development.

Journalist: Recently, the Ishikawa City Council in Okinawa Prefecture of Japan passed an ordinance concerning Diaoyu Dao, claiming to exercise so-called administration over sustainable development of Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands, as well as the surrounding waters. There are concerns that Japan may use this as a pretext to land on Diaoyu Dao and conduct what it calls island inspections. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands have always been an inherent part of Chinese territory. The Chinese side will continue to take effective measures to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Jiang Bin: If there are no other questions, I'd like to close today's press conference. Thank you.