MND Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang answers recent media queries concerning the military on the afternoon of November 16, 2023.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on November 16, 2023.
(The following English text of the press conference is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)
I have four pieces of news to announce at the top.
On November 16, a delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense attended the 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-PLUS) held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In the speech at the meeting, the Chinese side stressed that in the face of the international situation characterized by changes, confusion and frequent conflicts, China stays committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the Global Security Initiative. Meanwhile, China calls on all parties to practice true multilateralism, uphold a correct security outlook, stay with peaceful consultations, do not resort to conflict and confrontation, and contribute to world peace and development. Under the guidance of China's neighborhood foreign policy put forward by President Xi Jinping, which features amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China and ASEAN countries have long maintained good neighborliness and friendship, carried out cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and conducted military exchanges including the "Peace" series of joint exercises and training, multinational joint demining operations, and exchanges of young officers, working together to maintain overall stability in the South China Sea. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture and stands ready to work with all other ADMM-PLUS member states for common development and make active contributions to regional peace and stability. The Chinese delegation also communicated with representatives of relevant countries on the sidelines of the meeting.
To actively implement the vision of building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future and China-Africa community of health for all put forward by President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense will host the Conference on Military Medicine of the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum from November 20 to 26. The conference will be organized by the PLA Academy of Military Sciences. Leaders of military health departments and military medical experts from 25 African countries are invited to attend the conference. Under the theme of "Enhance Exchanges and Cooperation to Safeguard Military Personnel's Health", the event aims to share with relevant countries China’s experience and practices in military health system building and talent cultivation, as well as corresponding progress and scientific research achievements, and to explore ways and measures of strengthening China-Africa military medical cooperation and jointly addressing challenges in the field of medical service.
The PLA Army Engineering University will hold the 4th International Army Forum on Military Education in Nanjing from November 20 to 25, and representatives of military academies from Cambodia, Pakistan, South Africa, the UK, Argentina and other countries have been invited. Under the theme of "Future-oriented Army Officer Cultivation", the forum will have symposiums and exchanges around topics including the demands and changes of the cultivation of junior army officers, the reform and exploration of education in army academies, and the opportunities and challenges for Army military education in the context of digitalization and intelligentization. The aim of this forum is to study and explore the development trend and reform direction of military education, share practical experience and latest achievements, and promote international exchanges and cooperation on military education.
The PLA Army Special Operations Academy will hold for the first time the International Forum on Special Operations in Guangzhou city from November 25 to 26. Representatives of special operations forces and academies from Russia, Belarus, Cambodia, Pakistan and other countries will attend the forum on invitation. With the theme of "Forging Elite Special Forces for the Future, the forum will have symposiums and exchanges on topics including the future-oriented special operations talent cultivation system as well as commanding and skilled personnel training, aiming at sharing practical experience and latest achievements in personnel training and promoting international exchanges on special operations .
Question: Japanese government sources said that Japan plans to provide the Philippine military with coastal surveillance radars and other equipment that can help improve the Philippines' maritime domain awareness capability. It is commented by the media that Japan and the Philippines are strengthening security cooperation to seek deterrence against China. What is your comment?
Answer: We have noted the relevant development. It should be emphasized that defense cooperation between relevant countries should not harm the interests of a third party or undermine regional peace and security. In recent years, Japan has been violating its domestic Pacifist Constitution, breaking the limit of "exclusively defense-oriented" principle and keeping exporting weapons and equipment to other countries, straying further down the road of military expansion. It also attempts to roil the situation of the South China Sea and subvert the post-war international order by forming small cliques, increasingly evolving into a destabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific region. This deserves high vigilance of regional countries and the international community. We urge the Japanese side to exercise caution in words and actions in the military and security fields and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability.
Question: Japan's Ministry of Defense said that several Chinese naval vessels including the aircraft carrier Shandong conducted navigation and training in the Pacific Ocean, and a large number of ship-borne fighter jets and helicopters frequently carried out takeoff and landing maneuvers. Besides, Taiwan's military authorities also said that the aircraft carrier Shandong had sailed through the Taiwan Strait recently. Some analysts believe that this is the first time that the aircraft carrier Shandong has not returned to the base after completing a long voyage in the far seas, but entered the Taiwan Strait to continue its navigation training around Taiwan. What is your comment?
Answer: The PLA Navy recently organized the task group of aircraft carrier Shandong to conduct training in relevant waters, with the objective of honing the systematic combat capability of the aircraft carrier task group, upgrading the troops' technical and tactical skills, and further enhancing their ability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. It needs to be noted that this was a routine arrangement made in accordance with our annual training plan. It was in line with international law and practice. Similar exercises and training activities will be organized by the Chinese military on a regular basis.
Question: It is reported that the Chinese and Mongolian militaries recently held the Border Defense Cooperation 2023 joint drill. Please give us more details.
Answer: The China-Mongolia Border Defense Cooperation-2023 joint drill was held in the border region near the Changji Hui autonomous prefecture in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on November 10. Under the theme of "China-Mongolia Joint Action to Curb Border Crimes", the joint drill featured training on subjects including joint command, joint reconnaissance, joint control, joint strike and joint transfer, which enhanced the real combat capability of the two militaries to jointly safeguard safety and stability in the border areas. After the drill, weapons and armament display as well as cultural exchange activities such as grappling, horseback archery and martial arts were also held.
In conclusion, November 11 marked the 74th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). Let's pay tribute to the blue-sky guardians of China. Over the past 74 years, with lofty goals and soaring morale, the PLAAF has maintained combat readiness, and defended national aerospace security. It will develop into a world-class air force and fly with the times, and continue to play its vital role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.