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 February 14, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)
(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)
On the afternoon of February 14, 2025, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang answered recent media queries concerning the military.
Journalist: Recently, a landslide occurred in Junlian County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. Officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAP) immediately engaged in disaster relief efforts. Please tell us more about it.
Zhang Xiaogang: A landslide recently occurred in Junlian County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. A disaster is an order for action. The PLA and PAP resolutely acted on President Xi's important instructions on emergency rescue and disaster relief. They responded swiftly, stepped forward and conducted rescue operations with all-out efforts. So far, a total of 326 personnel have been deployed to a range of tasks, including search and rescue, relocation of affected residents, road clearance, hidden-danger assessment, and supplies transportation. They have also assisted the local government in evacuating and relocating over 230 people. The Chinese military remains steadfast in following the instructions of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi. We faithfully uphold the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly and stay ready to support local disaster relief efforts at any time. We are committed to safeguarding the lives and property of the people and fulfilling all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.
Journalist: It is reported that President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), recently signed an order to issue the revised Regulations on Scientific Research Related to Military Equipment. Please provide us with more information about this.
Zhang Xiaogang: The revised Regulations on Scientific Research and Development Related to Military Equipment has five features. First, it takes the generation of combat capability as the sole criteria, and systematically reformed the processes and procudures for overall planning, project approval, and process management related to scientific research and development (R&D) of military equipment. Second, it requires advanced management concepts to be applied to both organs responsible for equipment R&D planning and units undertaking specific projects. This aims to improve the capacity for independent innovation, and provide more sources of growth in new quality combat capabilities. Third, it optimizes the classification and approval models for equipment pre-research, equipment R&D and production, and comprehensive equipment research, providing flexible and practical options for project management. Fourth, it systematically clarifies the principles and specific measures for quality control, cost management, acceptance and evaluation, and outcome management, in support of high-quality development of equipment R&D. Fifth, it establishes a comprehensive framework for the supervision and regulation of equipment R&D. It also specifies industry-specific supervision methods, inspection approaches and rectification measures. The Regulations will help enable higher quality and efficiency and stronger vitality of innovation in equipment R&D, so as to better support combat preparedness.
Journalist: The PLA Navy recently sent a task group to Pakistan to attend the multinational maritime exercise AMAN 2025. This is the first international joint exercise the Chinese military has participated in this year. Please further brief us on the exercise.
Zhang Xiaogang: At the invitation of the Pakistani military, a PLAN task group comprising of the guided-missile destroyer PLANS Baotou and the comprehensive supply ship PLANS Gaoyouhu participated in the multinational maritime exercise AMAN 2025 from February 6 to 11. During the onshore phase of the exercise, the task group and other participating naval forces held planning conferences, professional exchanges and open ship events. During the maritime phase, drills were conducted on joint counter-piracy operations, search and rescue and air defense. The exercise facilitated exchanges between the PLAN and other participating naval troops, and demonstrated a shared commitment to maritime security. The Chinese military will continue to live up to our international responsibilities and obligations, and contribute to world peace and stability with concrete actions.
Journalist: The US Indo-Pacific Command recently said that the Typhon mid-range missile system had been relocated from the Laoag airfield to another location on the island of Luzon, and that the relocation, however, was not an indication that the batteries would be permanently deployed in the Philippines. The Philippine side said that it would return the Typhon system to the US so long as China stops claiming its territory, harassing its fishermen and attacking its ships. May I have your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: The Chinese side has made clear multiple times our firm opposition against the US deployment of the mid-range missile system in the Philippines. The Typhon missile system is a strategic asset and an offensive weapon. The Philippine side has repeatedly gone back on its words and brought in the system to cater to the US side. Such decision would only place its national security and defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It's like holding a candle to the devil and playing the jackal to the tiger.
As we all know, the territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, the 1900 Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, and the 1930 Convention between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States regarding the Boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago. China's Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao fall outside the Philippine territory. It's legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach for the Chinese side to conduct law-enforcement activities in relevant waters.
By using the deployment of Typhon as a bargaining chip on the South China Sea issue, the Philippine side is selling out its own national security, putting the well-being of its people and regional peace and stability at grave risk. Such behavior is ridiculous and dangerous. We require the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of this issue, remove the Typhon missile system as soon as possible to honor its open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date. The Chinese side will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely counter provocations and infringements and safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Journalist: It was reported that the US confirmed that Article V of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to China's Diaoyu Dao during a phone call between Japanese Minister of Defense and US Secretary of Defense. What's your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. No matter what the US and Japan say or do, they can neither change this fact nor shake China's resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the US and Japan is a product of the Cold War. Military and security cooperation between the US and Japan should not target any third party, let alone undermine regional development. 2025 marks the 80th year of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. We hope the Japanese side will take lessons from history, demonstrate its determination to pursue peaceful development through concrete actions, and make more efforts to enhance mutual trust between countries and promote regional peace and stability.
Journalist: It is reported that after being sworn in as the new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth made clear that the US would restore the warrior ethos and work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Asia-Pacific by China. What's your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: We firmly oppose the groundless accusation made by the US side. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and a military strategy of active defense. The Chinese military is a staunch force for peace. As a peace-loving nation, China never engages in aggression or expansion. But we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests, and will take firm countermeasures against threats and challenges.
I want to emphasize that major country competition should not be the underlying logic of the times. A steady, sound and sustained China-US diplomatic and defense relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and meets the general expectation of the international community. Standing at a new starting point, we hope the US will work with China on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to deepen state-to-state and military-to-military exchanges and cooperation, so as to inject certainty and positive energy into the world.
Journalist: It is reported that US and Japanese leaders met with each other and issued a joint statement, which emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. Recently, the destroyer USS Johnson and the oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch transited the Taiwan Strait. What's your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: The relevant contents in the US-Japan Joint Leaders' Statement grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and made unfounded smears and accusations against China. The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to that. Regarding the passage of the US vessels through the Taiwan Strait, the PLA Eastern Theater Command has already made a response.
I want to point out that Taiwan is China's Taiwan. Any military provocation of the US will not change this fact. On the contrary, such US actions expose its hypocrisy and double standard to the international community, and bolster the resolve and will of the Chinese people to safeguard our national sovereignty and realize national reunification. The PLA will continue to strengthen combat readiness, resolutely fight against secession and interference, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.