Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on August 15, 2025

On the afternoon of August 15, 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.

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

Jiang Bin: First, I would like to make an announcement.

Recently, the Chinese and Mongolian border defense troops conducted Border Defense Cooperation 2025 joint exercise in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Focusing on the theme of combating cross-border illegal criminal activities, the drill further enhanced the joint border management and control capabilities and deepened the traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation between the two sides.

Journalist: Recently, the promotional video Gongjian (Forging Ahead) has gained wide popularity online. Could you provide us with more information about this?

Jiang Bin: The five-episode promotional video Gongjian (Forging Ahead) co-produced by the CMC Political Work Department, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the China Media Group started airing on CCTV-1 on August 1st. It was simultaneously uploaded to major online platforms and covered by more than 300 Chinese and foreign media outlets. Cross-media reach of the videos has exceeded 6.1 billion. The series is a pilot project to promote Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military online, and another masterpiece after Zhuiguang (Chasing Light), Zhumeng (Following Dream) and Cuihuo (Being Tempered).

Focusing on the theme of "forging firm political loyalty and winning decisive battles," Gongjian selects exemplary stories of determined mission accomplishment across various fields and fronts. The series presents a vivid account of the new progress and endeavors of the PLA as it overcomes challenges and strives for building a strong military. Its popularity shows the strength of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, and the enthusiasm and resolve of the Chinese military to achieve its centenary goal.

Journalist: It is reported that competent military and civilian departments recently released a list of typical cases involving military-related self-media accounts that violated laws and regulations. Could you please provide further details?

Jiang Bin: To further advance the 2025 special campaign for enhancing the governance of military-related information online, relevant military and civilian departments recently conducted investigations, gathered evidence, and took law enforcement actions in accordance with the newly issued Measures for the Administration of Online Military-Related Information. A number of typical cases in six categories were subsequently made public on www.cac.gov.cn and www.81.cn, including posing as faking official accounts, spreading military-related misinformation, distorting military history, tarnishing military's reputation, exploiting pro-military sentiment for profit, and disclosing locations of military units. The exposure mainly focused on newly identified cases involving sensitive military-related information, directly naming the online accounts and specifying the violations. All accounts that maliciously exploited military topics to attract attention and generate traffic were shut down. It is the shared responsibility of the entire society to promote the positive energy of building a strong country and a strong military. We call on media platforms and the wider online community to work in unity, foster synergy between the online and offline spheres, pool positive energy and jointly build a better online environment.

Journalist: As reported by Japanese media outlets, Japan recently deployed F-35B stealth fighters it procured from the US to a base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Analysts believe that this type of aircraft will be deployed on Izumo-class "frigates" of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This will be the first time for Japan to have ship-borne fighters after WWII. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: In recent years, the Japanese side has drastically increased defense budget, converted warships into aircraft carriers, and developed offensive weapons such as long-range missiles, going further down the dangerous path of military buildup. The international community is increasingly aware of the scheme of the Japanese side to play word games in covering up its military expansion, and concerns are mounting about Japan’s return to the evil path of militarism. We urge the Japanese side to honor its commitment to peaceful development, act prudently on military and security matters, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the larger international community through concrete actions.

Journalist: It is reported that the US destroyer USS Higgins intruded into China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and was expelled by the Chinese side on August 13. After the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy made a statement, the US Navy's Seventh Fleet responded by saying that China's remarks would not deter US actions. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of the Chinese territory. The US destroyer USS Higgins illegally entered China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao without permission from the Chinese government. Such unlawful action seriously violated China's sovereignty and national security, undermined peace and stability of the South China Sea, and trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side is gravely dissatisfied with and strongly opposed to this, and we have made solemn démarches to the US side. We urge the US side to strictly restrain its troops on the ground and immediately cease all provocative actions that violate China's sovereign rights. The Chinese military remains on high alert to firmly defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability.

Journalist: The spokesperson of the US State Department recently said that 80 years ago, the US and Japan concluded a devastating war in the Pacific. For 80 years, the US and Japan have stood shoulder to shoulder to safeguard peace and prosperity in the Pacific. These comments were also posted by the US Embassy in China. May I have your comments?

Jiang Bin: During WWII, Japanese fascists committed heinous crimes and inflicted untold sufferings on peoples around the world, including the Americans. The US side seems to have "amnesia" about this history. Whitewashing Japan's aggression and war crimes is a grave affront to historical justice, and hurts the peoples of countries once suffered from Japanese invasion. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge the US side to abandon geopolitical calculations, uphold a correct historical view of WWII, and join the international community in safeguarding the post-WWII international order, so as to strive for a more peaceful future for humanity.

Journalist: Taiwan's defense authorities recently stated that 57 PLA aircraft were detected around the island within 24 hours, with as many as 38 crossing the so-called "median line" in the Taiwan Strait, setting a recent record for the recent period. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. There is no such thing as the so-called "median line" in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA's military activities around the Taiwan island are entirely justified, lawful and reasonable. The DDP authorities' claim of having the so-called "full control of the situation" is nothing but self-deception. As long as the malignant forces of "Taiwan independence" exist, the PLA will never stop its operations to fight against "Taiwan independence" forces and promote national reunification.