On the afternoon of February 28, 2026, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered 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.)
Journalist: During the 2026 Spring Festival, the National Duel Supportings Office held special activities to send festival greetings to border and coastal defense troops. These activities have fostered a strong bond between the people and the military throughout the country. Please comment on that.
Zhang Xiaogang: Duel Supportings (the military supporting the government and caring for the people, and the government, social groups and the people supporting the military and providing preferential treatment to the families of service members and martyrs) is a fine tradition of the CPC, the Chinese military, and the Chinese people. It also represents China's unique political strength. For six consecutive years since 2021, special activities have been organized to extend festival greetings to border and coastal defense troops, significantly strengthening the bond between the people and the military. During this Spring Festival, people from all walks of life, including government officials, teachers and students, and rural and urban residents, showed their care for border and coastal defense troops through sending letters and paintings, delivering "lucky" packages, and visiting military families. The participants are from 302 model cities and counties for Duel Supportings across 21 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
As border and coastal troops remain at their posts far from home, the hearts and minds of the people go out to them. Be it soothing black tea from the hills in the south; steaming dumplings prepared by local people for border outposts in the north; scarves knitted by volunteers who care for the soldiers as if they were their own children; or insoles sewn by women from Yimeng (used to be a revolutionary base), all these gifts symbolize that the thoughts of the Chinese people are with service members on duty during this family-reunion festival. From the festive gatherings held by local governments for military families, to border troops raising the national flag with inland students via video link, it is evident that a deep bond between our people and the military stands firm across mountains and seas. The special activities convey the patriotic enthusiasm and deep support for the armed forces shared by the people, inspire border and coastal defense troops in their mission to safeguard the nation, and continue the proud tradition of mutual support between the people and the military in the new era.
Journalist: It was reported that the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia recently conducted so-called joint patrols in the waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao. In addition, the US and the Philippines held a strategic dialogue, claiming that China's activities in the South China Sea undermine regional peace and stability as well as the economy of the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Please comment on that.
Zhang Xiaogang: Countries outside the region, such as the US, have traveled thousands of kilometers to the South China Sea to flex muscles and stir up tensions. They are the real source of uncertainty. The Philippine side, which attempted to make waves at sea by soliciting external support, has repeatedly committed rights-violation and provocative acts against China and undermined the common interests of regional countries. It is, without doubt, a troublemaker and a saboteur of peace.
China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. China's activities in waters under its jurisdiction are necessary to safeguard sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. They are legitimate, professional, restrained, and beyond reproach. The Chinese military remains on high alert and will take resolute countermeasures against any rights-violation and provocative acts. We will not allow any attempt to create turmoil in the South China Sea to succeed, and will firmly safeguard peace and stability in the region.
On the afternoon of February 28, 2026, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered recent media queries concerning the military. (mod.gov.cn)
Journalist: According to reports, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that China is intensifying its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, while also expanding and stepping up its military activities in the areas surrounding Japan. This has created the most complex and severe security environment for Japan since World War II. The Japanese government will revise its three security documents this year and accelerate discussions on amending the principles governing the export of defense equipment. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The Chinese side carried out relevant military operations to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and security interests. They are in full compliance with international and domestic laws, and are entirely legitimate and justified. We need to point out that history has not been forgotten—Japan once used the so-called situation threatening Japan's survival as a pretext to launch wars of aggression, committing heinous crimes against its Asian neighbors and the world. Now, the right-wing forces in Japan are resorting to their old tricks, clamoring about the so-called external threats to deceive and mislead the public, create excuses for military expansion, and pursue hidden political agenda. The international community should remain highly vigilant and resolutely oppose Japan's reckless moves towards neo-militarism, and join hands in upholding the victorious outcome of World War II and the post-war international order. We urge Japan not to barrel down the wrong path or reverse the wheel of history. Otherwise, it is doomed to suffer a speedier and greater defeat.
On the afternoon of February 28, 2026, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered recent media queries concerning the military. (mod.gov.cn)
Journalist: According to reports, the US side has recently made multiple accusations alleging that China conducted a nuclear explosion test in June 2020, and announced that the US will no longer unilaterally adhere to the zero-yield standard. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The US remarks are completely unfounded and untenable. It is widely known that China adheres to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, upholds a nuclear strategy of self-defense, and consistently maintains its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security. China does not engage in any nuclear arms race with any country. We strictly honor the commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing, and have never conducted any activities in violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
In contrast, the US possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal and maintains a policy of first use of nuclear weapons. It has invested heavily in building a nuclear triad, and has even claimed to resume nuclear testing. America's irresponsible actions in arms control—including withdrawals from treaties and backtracking on commitments—have made it the greatest source of uncertainty for the international nuclear order and global strategic stability. We urge the US to earnestly fulfill its obligations under the CTBT and honor its pledge of the moratorium on nuclear testing, assume the special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, and take concrete actions to preserve the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and uphold global strategic balance and stability.
Journalist: As was reported, Lai Ching-te recently made noises about accelerating the buildup of asymmetric capabilities, and pushed hard for advancing arms purchases from the US and the approval of related budgets, so as to "ensure security of the island and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific". What's your comment on this？
Zhang Xiaogang: Lai Ching-te and his ilk, driven by partisan and personal interests, have recklessly squandered public funds to purchase US-made weapons. This will only drain Taiwan's coffers faster, push Taiwan closer to the peril of war, and drag the people in Taiwan down into an abyss. We sternly warn the DPP authorities that seeking independence by soliciting foreign support is doomed to fail, and resisting reunification by force is a dead end. We hope that compatriots in Taiwan will see through the very dangerous and destructive nature of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, stand with us to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" schemes and foreign interference, and take concrete actions to safeguard their own safety and well-being, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
