Defense Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Recent Media Queries Concerning the Military

On the afternoon of November 15th, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang answered recent media queries concerning the military.

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 the afternoon of November 15, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

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

I have two pieces of information at the top.

The first one.

According to the annual plan and consensus of the two sides, the Chinese and Singaporean militaries held the Exercise Cooperation-2024 joint army training in Henan province in late November. The subject of the training is urban joint counter-terrorism operations. It aims at deepening pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and strengthening their capabilities in joint counter-terrorism operations. Exercise Cooperation joint army training is a traditional cooperation project between the Chinese and Singaporean militaries. This year's training marks the sixth of its kind.

The second one.

The Second Forum for the Heads of International Naval Academies under the theme of "Maritime Community with a Shared Future" will be held at the PLA Naval Command College from November 19 to 22. Representatives from naval academies of 21 countries, including France, Iran, Italy, Russia and Singapore, will participate in the forum under the theme of "Optimizing Ecosystem of Naval Military Education and Fostering Exchange and Cooperation." The forum aims to promote joint consultations on academy development, the co-creation of a talent cultivation ecosystem and the sharing of educational resources, and further enhance international exchanges and cooperation in naval academy education.

Question: Recently, with approval from the Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC General Office issued the Implementation Outline for Strengthening the Culture for Building a Strong Military. Please brief us on further details.

Zhang Xiaogang: The CMC General Office recently issued an Implementation Outline for Strengthening the Culture for Building a Strong Military, setting forth a strategic plan for systematically advancing the culture for building a strong military. The outline elaborates on the historical development, core principles, and vital role of the culture for building a strong military. It highlights key priorities such as fostering political loyalty, cultivating an unyielding fighting spirit, maintaining a steadfast commitment to serving the people, adhering firmly to running the military in accordance with the law and strict discipline, enhancing morale for greater achievements, and establishing a robust spiritual foundation. The outline also provides comprehensive plans to arm the military with the Party's innovative theories, preserve the revolutionary traditions, cultivate fighting spirit, shape a unified military culture, and deliver extensive and sound influence. Responsibilities are clearly defined at all levels to develop the culture for building a strong military. The outline has contributed to achieving the military's centenary goal and accelerating its transformation into a world-class force by providing strong guidance, shaping core values, and offering great motivation.

Question: It is reported that China's Ministry of National Defense recently held the Fourth Symposium on Military Medicine of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Guangzhou. Please brief us on it.

Zhang Xiaogang: The Fourth Symposium on Military Medicine of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum was successfully held in Guangzhou from November 5 to 10. Leaders of military health departments and medical experts from China and 21 African countries gathered under the theme of "Enhance China-Africa Military Medical Exchanges and Cooperation in the New Era." Key discussions centered on topics such as military medical service management and innovation, and war wounds and trauma treatment. The Chinese delegates shared research achievements and best practices in fields like the prevention and control of regional infectious diseases, the modernization of military medical institutions, and talent cultivation. African delegates visited relevant medical units and biopharmaceutical companies, and highly appreciated the symposium's role as an important platform for strengthening practical cooperation in military medicine and jointly addressing challenges in health care. They expressed a firm commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of both African and Chinese people, and to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Question: This year marks the 75th birthday of the PLA Air Force. A range of advanced fighter jets, including J-35A and J-20, were showcased at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, receiving great attention both domestically and internationally. Please brief us on the development of the PLA Air Force.

Zhang Xiaogang: At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the PLA Air Force showcased 36 types of equipment for aerial flight demonstrations and ground static displays. The PLAAF Bayi Aerobatic Team and the Red Eagle Aerobatic Team, along with 26 aircraft of seven types, including J-20, J-16 and YU-20A, carried out flight performances. Notably, the event marked the debut of the J-35A medium-sized and multi-role stealth fighter jet, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system, and a new type of attack and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. The Y-20 aircraft's cargo hold was also open to the public. These arrangements offered a close, comprehensive and multidimensional look of the PLA Air Force's modernization achievements to the public.

Over the past 75 years, the PLA Air Force has forged ahead through perseverance and transformation, gradually evolved into a strategic military service that integrates multiple arms, and steadily moved towards the forefront of aerospace. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, the PLA Air Force is committed to fully implementing President Xi's strategic requirement of building a powerful air force with integrated air and space capabilities and coordinated offensive and defensive operations. It will steadfastly uphold the Party's leadership, intensify military training and strengthen combat readiness, accelerate its transformation, and advance the development of new-type combat forces. The PLA Air Force will focus on enhancing aerospace capabilities in strategic strikes, early warning, air and space defense, and strategic projection, and press ahead with fortitude to realize the military's centenary goal. This will provide vital support for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, while also contributing to regional and global peace and stability.

Question: It is reported that the commander of US Space Command recently said that China is moving at a mind-boggling speed in developing a large number of different categories of space weapons, which is very threatening. The US side plans to deploy anti-satellite weapons targeting Russia and China in 2025. What's your comment on this?

Zhang Xiaogang: The US has been using the so-called "China threat in space" as a pretext to deploy weapons that target satellites. It is a pure distortion of facts and is like a thief crying "catch the thief". The US defines space as a "war-fighting domain", continues to expand its space forces, forms military alliances in this regard, and keeps militarizing the space. These acts pose grave threats to the common security and development interests in space of all countries. Facts have proven that the US is the greatest threat to space security and the biggest instigator of space arms race.

The Chinese side advocates the peaceful use of space, opposes the weaponization of and arms race in space, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind in space. We urge the US side to stop spreading irresponsible remarks, stop expanding its arsenal and making war preparations in space, and contribute its due share to maintaining lasting peace and security of space.

Question: It's reported that the Philippine Navy Spokesperson said that joint naval exercises held frequently by the Philippines, United States and other Western powers were helping reign in "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea. The Philippine government signed into law the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, claiming that it was committed to "rule-based international order". May I have your comment on this?

Zhang Xiaogang: The Philippine side, in collusion with external countries, carries out frequent military exercises in the South China Sea to sow discords and provoke confrontation. Such actions disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea and undermine the interests and well-being of people in the region. The Philippine side, by making claims to China's Huangyandao, most islands and reefs in the South China Sea and relevant body of water in its laws, attempts to substantiate the illegal arbital award on the South China Sea through domestic legislation. This has severely violated China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and harmed other countries’ right to navigation and shipping. The Chinese side firmly opposes this.

I want to emphasize that the Asia-Pacific welcomes those who share the pursuit of peaceful development, not those who create nothing but troubles and conflicts. We require the Philippine side to immediately stop spreading false narratives, refrain from any unilateral action that may expand and complicate disputes, and return to the right track of settlement through dialogue and negotiation. The Chinese military will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, counter infringements and provocations, and preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Question: It's reported that Taiwan was considering purchasing a big package of US weapons, to show the incoming US administration its seriousness about stronger defense. The US side disclosed that Taiwan secretly dispatched troops to the US for training on HIMARS. The defense authorities of Taiwan confirmed that 11 batteries of HIMARS had been delivered. What's your comment on this?

Zhang Xiaogang: The Chinese side urges the US side to immediately stop arming Taiwan and cease its dangerous actions jeopardizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The DPP authorities sell the interests of the people in Taiwan to ingratiate its US master and attempt to solicit external support for "Taiwan independence". Such behaviors will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war. We warn the DPP authorities that buying more weapons is futile and will end up in self-destruction. The PLA will enhance combat readiness and our ability to fight and win, and firmly thwart any attempt for "Taiwan independence" and any interference by external forces.