On the afternoon of August 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered recent media queries concerning the military.
Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, 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 August 8, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)
(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)
Journalist: Recently, heavy rainfall hit eastern, northern and northeastern China, leading to floods and geological disasters. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police (PAP) immediately dispatched forces for emergency rescue and disaster relief tasks. Please tell us more about that.
Jiang Bin: We always put the people first and fulfill our mission without fail. The PLA and PAP forces will resolutely act on President Xi's important directives on disaster rescue. As of now, we have carried out disaster relief operations in 13 districts/counties across 8 provinces. Over 19,000 service members and over 32,000 militia personnel have been deployed, and more than 2,000 sets of vehicles and engineering equipment have been mobilized. We have assisted in works including search and rescue, relocation of affected people, transportation of relief supplies, patrol and reinforcement of dams and river banks, and rush-repair of roads. The Chinese military will resolutely fulfill the missions and tasks entrusted by the Party and the people, and make every effort to protect the people's lives and property.
Journalist: Recently, several films about historical events during WWII have been released in China, such as Dead to Rights, which depicts the heroic deeds of Chinese civilians during the Nanjing Massacre, and Dongji Rescue, which portrays Chinese fishermen risking their lives to rescue British POWs under the gunfire of Japanese militarists. What's your comment?
Jiang Bin: During World War II, Japanese militarists launched war of aggression, and committed innumerable crimes, which inflicted immense suffering on the people of China and other countries worldwide. Today, through film and television products, a growing number of people have recognized the inhuman brutality of Japanese militarists and the gallant resistance by the Chinese and people of other countries against Japanese fascists. This has led to a deeper understanding of how hard-won peace truly was. More and more foreign friends are stepping forward to donate to China and disclose to the world the evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese aggressors. In the face of hard evidence, no attempt to distort WWII history and whitewash the war of aggression will succeed.
Lessons written with blood must never be forgotten; historical tragedies must never be repeated. We will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War this year. The Chinese military will carry forward and promote the great spiritual legacy of the war, and defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests with stronger capability and more reliable means.
Journalist: It's reported that some countries kept dispatching aircraft and ships to the vicinity of Chinese and Russian task forces during Exercise Joint Sea 2025. Some analysts claim that this joint exercise was clearly targeted at third parties. May I have your comments?
Jiang Bin: Exercise Joint Sea is an institutionalized cooperation program between the Chinese and Russian navies. Since its inception in 2012, the exercise has been held 10 times and has become a key platform for China-Russia military cooperation. Task groups from the two sides have completed planned subjects, including joint air defense, counter-sea and anti-submarine operations, and have transitioned to a joint maritime patrol. China and Russia adhere to the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party in developing bilateral and military relations, and jointly play an important role in safeguarding international and regional peace and stability. We hope relevant parties will view defense cooperation between China and Russia objectively and rationally, and stop spreading groundless speculation and smears.
Journalist: According to reports, the Pakistani military announced that the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has commissioned Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters into its fleet, aiming to advance the modernization of its defense equipment. Please comment on that.
Jiang Bin: We are willing to share the achievements of China's equipment development with friendly countries including Pakistan. The defense and security cooperation between China and Pakistan is not directed against any third party and is dedicated to safeguarding international and regional peace and stability.
Journalist: Recently, the promotional video titled Gong Jian (or Forging Ahead) revealed for the first time footage of a successful takeoff simulation by PLANS Fujian, stating that the aircraft carrier has entered the final critical stage before commissioning. Can you confirm this?
Jiang Bin: China advances the development of aircraft carriers according to the needs of national security and equipment build-up. As a critical military asset, PLANS Fujian will play its due role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Journalist: The Philippine armed forces reportedly said that the Philippine-Indian joint naval exercise conducted near Huangyan Dao was designed to enhance the interoperability of the two militaries and to demonstrate support for the Philippines in its skirmishes with China. What's your comment?
Jiang Bin: We oppose using the South China Sea issue as a pretext to provoke confrontation, and believe that military cooperation between relevant countries should not target any third party or undermine regional peace and stability. The Philippine side, however, actively courts external forces to make bluffs, in an attempt to destabilize the region for its own gain. Such actions completely contradict the shared aspirations of regional countries for peace, development and stability. We require the Philippine side to stop its provocations and propaganda, stop ganging up with others to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, and return to the right track of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.
Journalist: It is reported that Lai Ching-te recently said that the "national defense budget" of Taiwan for next year will exceed 3% of its GDP. Some analysts believe this increase is a response to concerns from the US side. Please comment on that.
Jiang Bin: As a province of China, how is it possible for Taiwan to have the so-called national defense budget? Lai Ching-te and his like have no regard for the well-being of the people of Taiwan, and shamelessly cozy up to the US and sell out Taiwan in pursuit of external support for "Taiwan independence". Not only do they sugarcoat the tariff exploitation as achievements of negotiations to deceive the public, but they also plan to squander the hard-earned money of the people in Taiwan to pay "protection fees" to the US. Such acts amount to sending a lamb to a tiger's den, and will end up losing everything and gaining nothing.
Journalist: Reports indicate that the chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee may soon lead a congressional delegation to Taiwan, which will be the first visit to Taiwan by a senator holding this position since 2016. May I have your comments?
Jiang Bin: There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Chinese side firmly opposes any form of official engagement between the US and the Taiwan region. We require the US side to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, earnestly fulfill its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence", stop any form of official interaction and military connection with China's Taiwan region, and stop conniving at or supporting separatists for "Taiwan independence". The PLA will stay on high alert at any time and take resolute measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.