Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on February 27, 2025

By Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND

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

Wu Qian: Friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to this month's regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense (MND). As you can see to my left, we have a special group of friends in red jackets. They are representatives from the Renmin University of China. I like your red jackets, and I'm also impressed by the revolutionary spirit your are carrying forward.

Today I have no information to announce on the top, the floor is now open for questions.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of February 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

Journalist: It's reported that US President Donald Trump conducted an "unprecedented purge" of top military brass, dismissing multiple senior officers, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Is the Chinese side worried that the Pentagon shakeup might negatively impact China-US defense relations? Have the two militaries talked to each other since the new US administration? What's your expectation for China-US defense relations in the next phase?

Wu Qian: China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries. On China-US military relations, the two sides maintain effective communication through military diplomatic channel. There have been some preliminary plans and arrangements for exchanges in the foreseeable future. We will release information on due course.

Taking lessons from history can help us build a better future. We hope the US side will work with us toward a common objective, be guided by the consensus between our heads of state, strengthen communication and dialogue, properly handle disagreements and differences, and conduct substantive cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. In this way, it is hoped that the China-US military-to-military relations get off to a good start and continue to grow further.

Journalist: The Philippine side claimed that a PLAN aircraft took dangerous maneuvers against its public service aircraft, and that this reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers. Do you have any comment on this?

Wu Qian: The fact about this incident is very clear. The Philippine public service aircraft, with many journalists aboard, barged into China's airspace over Huangyan Dao to provoke and play the victim. Its provocation posed threats to our helicopter which was on a routine patrol, and was the real cause of air and maritime safety risks in this encounter. I need to point out that intruding into other countries' airspace in breach of international law is more reckless and irresponsible than anything else. We require the Philippine side to immediately stop its rights-infringing, stop spreading false narratives, and work with the Chinese side for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Journalist: I have two questions. First, there are reports saying more than 30 countries including Russia, China, and the US have recently participated in the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025 in Indonesia. Can you confirm this? Second, as reported by Taiwan media outlets, the US government will soon unfreeze $870 million in security aid for Taiwan. And according to sources, the DPP authorities are considering purchasing 7 to 10 billion dollars worth of arms from the US, in the hope of currying favor with the Trump administration. What's your comment?

Wu Qian: On your first question. We have noted relevant reports. The Chinese side sent representatives from our embassy in Indonesia to attend relevant activities of the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025.

On your second question, the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, which brooks no foreign interference. We firmly reject any form of US military contact with and US arms sale to China's Taiwan region. Relying on US support for "Taiwan independence" is not a viable path. Diverting taxpayer money that should have benefited the public to fill the bottomless hole of "harming and ruining Taiwan" will only lead to self-inflicted disasters for the DPP authorities.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, according to media reports, Taiwan was mentioned as a participant on the official Facebook page for the Cobra Gold exercise but was removed from the post later. Do you have any comment? My second question is about Deepseek. Deepseek is a trending topic right now and many industries are exploring its possibilities. I wonder if you are aware of this, and will the press release work of the MND benefit from or be challenged by Deepseek?

Wu Qian: On your first question, we have noted relevant reports and how the US side mentioned Taiwan but deleted it later. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to any form of official interaction and military contact between any country and China's Taiwan region. This position is unwavering.

On your second question, I certainly follow Deepseek and I have its app on my phone. When my team and I prepare for the press conference, we sometimes use AI apps to search for information. In this regard, the Chinese side's policy is very clear. We always advocate that a people-centered approach needs to be followed and the principle of developing AI for good needs to be observed in developing AI, and that we must ensure absolute human control over relevant weapon systems.

Journalist: The US President said in a press conference that he planned to have nuclear arms control talks with China and Russia and to propose cutting the three countries' defense budgets by half. May I have your comment on this?

Wu Qian: It's incumbent upon the US, a country in possession of the world's largest nuclear arsenal, to fulfill its special and primary responsibilities for nuclear disarmament and further make drastic and substantive cuts to its nuclear arsenal. This is a consensus of the international community. I want to point out that China commits itself to a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense, and keeps our nuclear strength at the minimum level required for national security. By so doing, we have contributed to world peace and security.

On defense budget, the US defense spending has topped the world for many years in a row. It is higher than that of the following eight countries combined. Its high defense budget is concerning to the international community. I believe that the US should put into practice "America First" in this regard, and be the first to cut its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure.

Journalist: Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) recently said that the PLA had significantly increased its activities around Taiwan in recent years, and had sent multiple spy balloons, naval vessels and military planes around the island in February alone. He also claimed that the Chinese mainland will probably use exercises as a fig leaf to conceal an attack on the island. In addition, Taiwan media outlets reported that officers from the INDOPACOM participated in the table-top phase of Han Kuang exercise. What's your comment on this?

Wu Qian: I will not comment on the specific tactics you mentioned. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same Chinese family. We will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort. But we make no promise to renounce the use of force, which is targeted at the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference. Anyone who dares to push for "Taiwan independence" will certainly face swift and strong countermeasures from the PLA. And we warn some individuals of the US side: playing sneaky tricks on Taiwan would only backfire.

‍‍Journalist: A small number of we-media accounts painted a bleak picture about China-Cambodia relationship. May I have your comments on this? What are the programs of engagement the Chinese and Cambodian armed forces will have for this year?

Wu Qian: Relevant remarks are sheer slanders and not true. China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends who share weal and woe and always support each other. The two militaries enjoy unbreakable relations and rock-solid brotherhood. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the PLA and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have had close high-level interactions and productive and substantive cooperation in various areas. The two sides successfully held Golden Dragon joint exercise for six times and also conducted Peace Angel military medical service exercise. Exchanges between military academies and cooperation on de-mining and military publicity have continued to deepen. Not long ago, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense conferred medals upon the Chinese medical expert team and academic expert team in Cambodia. Going forward, the Chinese military will join hands with the Cambodian side to deliver on the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, and grow our military-to-military relations from strength to strength.

Trust is like a tree rooted in the soil of mutual support. China-Cambodia relations have withstood the tests of changing international landscape. No attempt to malign the bilateral ties will ever succeed.

Journalist: We've been seeing a series of meetings between India and China starting with the top leaders, followed by the special representatives meeting on the boundary question, and later at the level of foreign secretaries to discuss the normalization process between the two countries. Can you provide an update on the normalization process along the eastern Ladakh front today?

Wu Qian: At present, the Chinese and Indian militaries are implementing resolutions on issues concerning the border areas in a comprehensive and effective manner. We are ready to work with the Indian side to jointly preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Journalist: New Zealand and Australia recently said that a Chinese naval task group conducted a live-fire drill in waters between New Zealand and Australia on February 21, without giving sufficient early notification. Can you give more information about the relevant operations?

Wu Qian: Relevant operations carried out by the PLA naval task group on high seas are totally in line with international law.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, it's reported that Taiwan's Exercise Han Kuang 41 would considerably increase the duration of its live-fire phase, and would mobilize as many as 3000 reserve troops as prodded by the US side. What's your comment on this? Secondly, this year we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Russian side has announced that it will hold a series of large-scale celebrations in May, including parades. Will the Chinese side attend celebrations to be held by the Russian side? And what celebrations will the PLA hold in commemoration of this anniversary?

Wu Qian: On your first question, the Taiwan question is an internal affair of China, which brooks no external interference. The US side wants to contain China with Taiwan and connives at risky and provocative activities of the DPP authorities for "Taiwan independence". This strategy will ultimately backfire.

The DPP authorities have an illusion of "soliciting US support for independence" and "resisting unification by force". It is a serious miscalculation of the situation, the public opinion and the comparison of strength. Overreaching itself in such a way is extremely dangerous. We warn the DPP authorities that holding back the tide with a broom will only end up in self-destruction. We will come and get you, sooner or later.

On your second question, we will hold solemn and grand celebrations in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As for more details, I have nothing to offer at this point.

Journalist: President Xi Jinping, also Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently signed an order to issue three revised regulations: the PLA Interior Service Regulations, the PLA Discipline Regulations and the PLA Formation Regulations, which will take effect on April 1, 2025. Please brief us on further details. In addition, we have noticed that there is a newly added line in the oath for decommissioning officers, which reads "Should war arise, we will return at the call." What is the reasoning behind such a change?

Wu Qian: Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the revised common regulations have thoroughly applied Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and the military strategic guideline for a new era. The updated regulations, aiming to boost combat readiness, have responded to the aspirations as well as concerns of servicemen and women, systematically summarized the new experience in the build-up and management of the troops, and established comprehensive standards for the regularization of the armed forces.

The common regulations serve as fundamental rules for military building, standards for regularization and code of conduct for officers and soldiers. The release and enforcement of the new common regulations mark a new level of science-based, standardized, and law-based governance of the military. Arrangements will be made to require the military to internalize and implement the new regulations, so that they will be integrated into the daily management at an early time. By strictly enforcing rules and discipline and regulating order in the military, the building and management of the PLA will be elevated to a higher level.

As for the new line of the oath for decommissioning officers, "Should war arise, we will return at the call," I think it echoes the voice of the veteran community. Though the role may change, the essence remains the same. Whether in uniform or not, the spirit of serving the nation and its people endures.

Journalist: It's reported that the US government announced the building of the Iron Dome Missile Defense System for America, or the Golden Dome as referred to by some media outlets, in response to special challenges posed by Chinese and Russian hyper-sonic weapons to the existing defense system of the US military. Some analysts argue that such behavior will risk kicking off a new destabilizing nuclear arms race. What's your comment on this?

Wu Qian: What the US needs is not an Iron Dome, but coming out of the Iron Curtain that has confined its own mindset. The Chinese side requests the US side to abandon its Cold-War mentality, stop playing up the so-called threats of other countries, and stop provoking military confrontation.

Journalist: It's reported that a netizen posed a video online sharing a story of running into a senior in Cuba who once studied in China as a pilot. The elderly man showed his academic certificate from a PLA aviation academy decades ago, and expressed deep affection for the Chinese military. Do you have more information to share on this?

Wu Qian: My first thought upon hearing this story was: Old friends are never to be forgotten, and true friendship lasts forever. Recently, my Air Force colleagues reviewed historical archives, visited former instructors, and reminisced about those years of passion. In the 1960s, a group of Cuban pilots received training at Chinese military academies. They learned from their Chinese instructors not only airmanship but also revolutionary stories and songs. Deep friendship had since been formed. After returning to Cuba, these pilots played an important role in the Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force, making significant contributions to national security.

My Air Force colleagues will soon travel to Cuba to visit their old friends and convey sincere greetings and best wishes of Chinese servicemen and women. We will release relevant information in a timely manner. China-Cuba friendship is witnessed by the blue sky. An encounter across half the globe revealed a bond treasured for half a century. A beautiful story warming the hearts of millions of netizens continues the amity between China and Cuba. I want to say that a journey to China commences a lifelong connection with the Chinese, and the Chinese military will never forget our old friends.

Journalist: It's reported that the military of Rwanda and anti-government armed groups of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conducted joint operations recently. They defeated the government force of the DRC and captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. Some self-media accounts claim that the Rwandan military is strong because it "follows the teachings of the PLA." Do you have any comments?

Wu Qian: The Chinese side respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or instigate regional conflicts. We hope relevant parties will peacefully settle the disputes through dialogue and negotiation.

Journalist: The military authorities of Taiwan said yesterday that the PLA conducted a live-fire drill in waters 70 kilometers off its coast. Can you confirm this? If so, do you have more information on this?

Wu Qian: The comments made by relevant authorities of Taiwan on the routine exercises and training activities of the PLA are mere hypes. We require them to stop playing tricks for more attention.

Journalist: On February 20, Philippines aircraft intruded into the airspace over waters adjacent to China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The PLA Southern Theater Command monitored the situation throughout the operation and warned off the aircraft. However, the US ambassador to Manila said that the PLA naval helicopter that participated in the interception took "dangerous" maneuvers. In addition, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft intruded into China's airspace in mid-February. Putting these two incidents together, some analysts point out that the US is using the presence of its allies in the airspace to deliberately heighten tensions in the South China Sea, put extra pressure upon China, and hinder the peaceful settlement of disputes between China and the Philippines. What's your comment on this?

Wu Qian: We have already released statements regarding relevant operations. I want to underline that putting pressure on China will not work. The Chinese side firmly opposes external countries interfering with the South China Sea issue and provoking confrontation and antagonism.

Journalist: The Japanese Defense Minister recently met with its Philippine counterpart in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and emphasized further deepening defense relations between the two sides. Under the previously signed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), Japan will provide radars and ships to the Philippines to enhance its surveillance capability in the South China Sea. What impact do you think will the military cooperation between Japan and the Philippines bring to the region?

Wu Qian: We have noticed relevant reports. What needs to be pointed out is that from the perspective of policies, Japan is not a regional country, and is in no position to meddle in the South China Sea issue. Technically speaking, it's nothing short of a pipe dream to monitor China's military activities with a couple sets of radar systems from Japan.

Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, many Chinese exhibitors attended the Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition, and their drones and other new equipment attracted wide attention, especially from Middle Eastern countries. Is there any new information about military cooperation between China and Arab countries? Secondly, according to local media outlets, Egypt recently received a batch of J-10CE fighter jets from China. Do you have more information on this?

Wu Qian: Firstly, on your second question, I have also read reports about the so-called China's export of J-10CE fighter jets to Egypt. However, the relevant reports are not true. They are false information.

On your first question, China has maintained friendship and cooperation with militaries of countries in the Middle East. But I want to underscore that regarding the export of military products, the Chinese side always adopts a prudent and responsible attitude and strictly follows the three principles for arms exports.

Journalist: It's reported that the military authorities of Taiwan recently issued a draft amendment to Article 4 of Implementation Measures for the Selection and Training of Volunteer Soldiers, easing restrictions on height, eyesight and tattoo for applicants. Do you have any comment on this?

Wu Qian: In the face of the prevailing trend of China's reunification, any petty tricks by the DPP authorities are futile. Being too cunning by half will end up costing its life. As the PLA has pointed out multiple times, seeking "Taiwan independence" is a dead end. For those who are hopelessly stubborn, let them crash headlong into the harsh reality.

Journalist: According to the latest declassified document released by the US Department of Government Efficiency, the US Department of Defense (DOD) paid millions of dollars to a subsidiary of Reuters from 2018 to 2022 through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for a program labeled as Large Scale Social Deception. This has aroused suspicion that Reuters might have long cooperated with the Pentagon on programs of information warfare. What' s your comment on this?

Wu Qian: In fact, relevant reports didn't surprise us. For a long time, the US DOD has colluded with a few media outlets and made up numerous lies, deceiving many innocent people including the US public. We hope the US side behave in a manner befitting its status as a big power, and stop being the world factory of lies.

Journalist: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was interviewed by Fox News recently. When asked "The Chinese mainland plans to take Taiwan in 2027, if you get woken up at 2 o'clock in the morning and intelligence shows that Taiwan will soon be taken by China, what does the US do?" He answered that America has existing commitments that it has made to prevent that from happening. He also said that the Chinese mainland is the "most dangerous""near-peer" adversary the US has faced. The US needs concrete steps to face off with the PLA. May I have your comment on this?

Wu Qian: I have listened carefully to your question. First of all, I want to clarify that the wording here should be "reunify" instead of "take". Taiwan is China's Taiwan. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people, and others are in no position to point fingers.

Wu Qian: If there are no further questions, I would like to introduce some special friends to you. They are representatives from the Renmin University of China (RUC). The RUC is the first modern university founded by the Communist Party of China during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Hailed as the "revolutionary vanguard" and a cradle for "builders of the People's Republic", the university is the alma mater of many heroic figures.

On the afternoon of February 27, representatives from the Renmin University of China observed the regular press conference of the MND. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Sun Zhiying)

Not long ago, representatives from the RUC visited border outposts and joined stationed troops in guard duty and patrols, experiencing first hand the hardship faced and the sacrifice made by border defense troops. A student said after the trip, "The magnificent borders of our great nation call for the dedication of more young people, for youth shines brightest where the motherland needs it most." And I echo with every word of it. With the word "Renmin" (means "people" in Chinese) in its name, the RUC is for the people. We hope students of the RUC will carry forward the revolutionary traditions and cherish the love for the nation and its people. We encourage you to live your youth to the full, to write poetic chapters, to explore the mystery of the unknown, and to embrace the majesty of the stars and oceans.

Wu Qian: Before we conclude, I have a piece of good news to share. To offer greater access to information about China's national defense and the Chinese military, we will increase the frequency of MND's regular press briefing from twice a month to three times a month, and open the door of our press conference to more Chinese and international media agencies. Questions are the voice of the times. As an open military, the PLA welcomes all kinds of questions, even tricky ones. Friends from the media, we hope we will meet more, talk more and create more with you. Let's witness together how the Chinese military accomplishes remarkable feats in an era of transformation.

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Deadline: March 10, 2025

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Wu Qian: Here concludes today's conference, thanks!