Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on March 11, 2026

On the afternoon of March 11, 2026, 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.)

Journalist: As approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Chinese military started to issue and put into use the ID of PLA reservist from March 1, 2026. Could you please provide us with more information about this?

Jiang Bin: Regarding the new ID of PLA reservist, I would like to highlight two points. First, on its function. It serves as a standard and authoritative proof of identity for reservists. This ID stands as the most valid proof when reservists are called to active duty in wartime, assembled for peacetime military training, assigned to combat readiness duties, or tasked with military operations other than war, and when they are enjoying relevant benefits, compensation and preferential treatment in accordance with laws and regulations. Second, the scope of issuance. Previously, such ID was issued only to military officers in reserve service. Now, the scope of issuance has been expanded to cover military officers, non-commissioned officers and conscripts in reserve service. The previously-used ID of PLA reserve service officer was abolished. It should be noted that the new IDs will only be issued to reservists who started to serve in the PLA reserve force and have been granted reserve military ranks in accordance with the latest procedure after the promulgation and implementation of the Reservist Law of the People's Republic of China.

The launch of the ID of PLA reserve service personnel marks an important step toward the standardization of China's reserve service system. It embodies the honor of dedicating oneself to national defense, and carries the mission and responsibility of "should war arise, we will return at the call." This will effectively strengthen the sense of service and identity of the reserve service personnel, and encourage them to actively engage in training and contribute to building strong defense and safeguarding national security.

Journalist: U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran have protracted for days. What's your comment on the current situation?

Jiang Bin: Without UN Security Council authorization, the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran in the process of ongoing Iran-U.S. negotiations. Such behaviors seriously breached international law and basic norms of international relations. China is firmly opposed to moves violating other countries' sovereignty and security, and to the abuse of force or the law of the jungle. China is deeply concerned over the protracted conflict and the spillover into neighboring countries. It is our consistent position that resorting to force is not the right solution to international disputes. The continuation and escalation of hostilities produces no winner, and will only push the Middle East into a dangerous abyss, inflicting greater suffering on the peoples of the region. The current priority is for relevant parties to immediately stop military operations, return to dialogue and negotiation, and jointly uphold peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.

Journalist: According to reports, the U.S. Department of War has demanded American technology companies to allow unrestricted use of AI technologies by the military. In addition, the U.S. military has employed AI tools extensively in military operations against Venezuela and Iran, triggering deep concerns over war ethics and the boundary of military application of technology. What's your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Such choices as the unrestricted application of AI by the military, using AI as a tool to violate the sovereignty of other nations, allowing AI to excessively affect war decisions, and giving algorithms the power to determine life and death, not only erode ethical restraints and accountability in wars, but also risk technological runaway. A dystopia depicted in the American film The Terminator could one day come true. Upholding a people-centered approach and the principle of AI for good, China believes that human primacy must be upheld in military applications of AI, and that all relevant weapon systems must be put under human control. We are opposed to taking advantage of the lead in AI and other emerging technologies to pursue absolute military dominance, or undermine the sovereignty and territorial security of other countries. China will work with other nations to advance multilateral AI governance with UN centrality, strengthen risk prevention and control, and ensure that AI always develops in a direction conducive to the progress of human civilization.

Journalist: According to reports, Japan has recently started to field long-range missiles capable of attacking enemy bases. The shooting range of the missile is approximately 1000 kilometers, covering the coastal areas of neighboring countries, and its deployment will be completed within this month. What is your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: For some time now, right-wing forces in Japan have made frequent moves to accelerate remilitarization, including the push to amend the pacifist Constitution, expediting revisions to the three national security documents, and the attempt to alter the three non-nuclear principles. Now, with the planned fielding of long-range offensive weapons whose range far exceeds its territorial boundaries, Japan has completely stripped away its pretense of "exclusively defense-oriented" principle, "passive defense" strategy and "self-defense" policy. This speaks volumes about the neo-militarism in Japan, which has become more than just a perilous tendency, but a very real threat that may wreak havoc to regional peace and security. Let me make it clear to the Japanese side: retreating to its belligerent and militarist past leads nowhere but self-destruction. Should the Japanese side dare to use force to violate China's sovereignty and security, it will only meet a head-on blow and suffer a greater and inevitable defeat.

Journalist: It's reported that the 2026 Goodwill Cruising and Training Squadron of Taiwan's naval force has set sail to visit its so-called diplomatic allies in Central and South America for a “large-scale goodwill mission”. Do you have any comment on this?

Jiang Bin: The so-called goodwill mission is merely an excuse for the DPP authorities to solicit foreign support for "Taiwan independence". The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm in international relations. It is the political foundation for China's relations with all the 183 countries who have diplomatic ties with China. We hope that countries in the relevant region can follow the historical trend of the times and make, at an early date, the right decision that serves the fundamental and long-term interests of their peoples. We warn the DPP authorities that no form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities or political manipulation can change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, or alter the international community's support for the one-China principle. Such attempts are futile.