Transcript of the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense in June 2022

Source: Ministry of National Defense Network · Chinese Military Number

June 30, 2022

Publisher: Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, deputy director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense

Transcript of the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense in June 2022

On the afternoon of June 30, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Tan Kefei, deputy director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, answered reporters' questions. Photo by Han Jinbao

Reporter: With the approval of the Central Military Commission, "Xi Jinping on Strengthening the Army and Rejuvenating the Army (III)" has recently been issued to the whole army. Please further introduce the relevant situation, and what measures will the military take to grasp the work of studying and using it?

Tan Kefei: With the approval of the Central Military Commission, "Xi Jinping on Strengthening the Army and Rejuvenating the Army (III)" was issued to the troops. This is of great significance for the officers and men of the whole army to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", to be more firm and consciously loyal to the core, to support the core, to safeguard the core, to more firmly establish the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on strengthening the army in national defense and army building, and to strive to continuously push forward the cause of strengthening the military in the new era.

The book includes a series of important speeches, important instructions and replies made by President Xi Jinping on national defense and army building from July 2019 to April 2022, which is the basic teaching material for comprehensively and systematically learning and understanding President Xi's thought on strengthening the army. The Central Military Commission issued a circular to make arrangements for doing a good job in studying and using it. The first is to persist in the original study, incorporate it into the study of the party committee's theoretical study center group, the cadres' theoretical rotation training, the army's ideological and political education, and the teaching of political theory in academies and universities, organize officers and men to conscientiously read the original texts, understand the principles and understand the original meaning, and earnestly grasp the scientific system and the essence of the essence. The second is to deepen research and propaganda, the vast number of theoretical workers to strengthen research and interpretation, the military news media to increase the intensity of propaganda, and leading cadres to do a good job in propaganda and counseling for officers and men. The military media will publish a series of theoretical articles to provide theoretical support and services for all levels to study and understand Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army. The third is to pay attention to applying what we have learned, vigorously carry forward the study style of integrating theory with practice, promote the integration of learning and thinking with application, and the unity of knowledge and faith, constantly create a new situation in army building and preparation for war, and greet the victory of the party's Twentieth National Congress with practical actions.

Reporter: President Xi Jinping issued a training mobilization order at the beginning of the year, requiring the troops of the whole army to pay close attention to the changes in science and technology, the changes in war, and the changes in opponents, vigorously promote the coupling of combat training, vigorously promote systematic military training, vigorously promote scientific and technological training, and comprehensively promote the transformation and upgrading of military training. Please introduce the situation and characteristics of the military training work of the whole army in the first half of the year.

Tan Kefei: On January 4, President Xi Jinping signed the No. 1 document of the Central Military Commission and issued the opening order, leading and encouraging the whole army to deeply implement the "Decision on Building a New Military Training System" of the Central Military Commission, and vigorously grasping the coupling of combat training, systematic training, and scientific and technological training, and steadily improving the level of actual combat training and combat capabilities of the troops. First, the intensity of basic training has increased. We should persist in training troops as they fight in battles, pull troops to distant seas, plateaus, high colds, and desert jungles to conduct actual combat training, continuously increase the proportion of training in high-difficulty and complex subjects and border extreme conditions, and effectively consolidate the foundation of the troops' combat capabilities. Second, the emergency response training is solid and in-depth. Implement the requirements of being ready for war at all times and being able to fight at any time, deepen the study of war and combat issues, vigorously carry out front-line military struggle training, and further enhance the ability of all parties to deal with real security threats in all fields. Third, the actual combat training activities continued to deepen. Give play to the leading role of joint training, vigorously grasp the research and training of major topics, real-case and real-life drills, cross-service and arms cooperation training, and Sino-foreign joint training leagues, and joint combat training to a higher and deeper level. Fourth, the practice of scientific and technological military training has been carried out normally. Keep a close eye on strong opponents, innovate and develop training methods and means such as "science and technology +" and "network +", expand the scale and frequency of scientists entering the training ground, promote the integration of new equipment, new forces and new fields into system training, and accelerate the generation and improvement of new quality combat effectiveness. Fifth, the construction of military training has been steadily advanced. Promote the implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan", strengthen the construction of large-scale training bases and simulated blue armies, update and improve military training laws and regulations, and help promote the transformation and upgrading of military training.

Over the past six months, the officers and men of the whole army have carried forward the fighting spirit of "not being afraid of hardship and not being afraid of death," trained assiduously, scientifically, and safely, constantly strengthened their command ability, combat skills, and fighting style, and had the confidence and determination to resolutely fulfill the mission and tasks entrusted by the party and the people in the new era with a high spiritual outlook and first-class training results.

Reporter: Recently, China's third aircraft carrier held a launch naming ceremony, which has aroused widespread concern. Will China continue to build more large aircraft carriers after the Fujian, and does this signal that China is changing its defensive defense policy?

Tan Kefei: China's development and improvement of weapons and equipment is not aimed at any country or specific goal, does not pose a threat to any country or region, and is entirely for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. For the follow-up development plan of China's aircraft carriers, we will comprehensively consider the needs of national security and the development of equipment technology.

What needs to be emphasized is that China's socialist nature, its strategic choice to follow the path of peaceful development, and its independent foreign policy of peace have determined that China will unswervingly pursue a defensive national defense policy. History has proven, and will continue to prove, that China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of international order, and a provider of public goods.

Reporter: According to reports, US Defense Secretary Austin recently said that the recent meeting between the Chinese and US defense ministers at the Shangri-La Dialogue is an important step in establishing communication channels between the Chinese and US militaries. The U.S. Foreign Policy magazine said that the Pentagon hopes to open more hotlines for China, and the United States is seeking to establish better communication channels between the US defense secretary, the chairman of the US Military Joint Staff, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific headquarters and Chinese officials. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: Recently, State Councilor and Defense Secretary Wei Fenghe held talks with US Secretary of Defense Austin during the Shangri-La Dialogue. The two sides believe that the two militaries should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain high-level strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust between the two sides, and properly manage contradictions and differences.

As for the US side's desire to increase the hotline for China, for a long time, the leaders of the defense affairs and armed forces of China and the United States have maintained communication and exchanges through channels such as direct telephone communication between the Ministry of National Defense, which has played an important role in enhancing understanding, managing differences and avoiding misjudgment. At present, the communication channels between the two militaries are unimpeded, and the Chinese side is open to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, but cooperation requires sincerity and efforts on both sides. For some time now, the US side has adhered to the Cold War mentality, promoted group politics, and for its own selfish interests, tightened bilateral military alliances, cobbled together the US-Britain-Australia trilateral security partnership, peddled the "four-sided mechanism," and strengthened the "Five Eyes Alliance." The intention of targeting China is very obvious. At present, the relations between the Two Militaries of China and the United States are at an important juncture, and there will be a series of dialogues and exchanges between the two militaries in the next step. We urge the US side to abandon the Cold War zero-sum mentality, move in the same direction as China, and create favorable conditions for the healthy and stable development of military-to-military relations with practical actions.

Reporter: The college entrance examination season in June is coming as scheduled, and the majority of candidates and parents are very concerned about the military school, please introduce the enrollment work arrangements of the whole military academy this year.

Tan Kefei: This year, a total of 27 colleges and universities in the army recruited 15,000 ordinary high school graduates in 31 provinces, and the enrollment colleges, application conditions and selection procedures were the same as last year. Implement the strategy of strengthening the military with qualified personnel in the new era, in 2022, military academy enrollment will focus on the needs of national defense and military modernization construction, focus on the needs of troops preparing for war, increase the number of new quality and urgently needed professional enrollment in the new domain, reduce the number of enrollments in traditional military branches, further optimize the professional layout, recruitment direction and proportion of command and technology, synchronously promote the reform and innovation of the enrollment system, military inspection methods, and training models, and select and cultivate high-quality and professional new military talents with both political integrity and ability from the source. Military school enrollment fully implements the requirements of the Sunshine Project, discloses relevant information in a timely manner, implements it strictly in accordance with policies, standards, and procedures, and actively accepts the supervision of candidates, parents and all aspects of society.

Youth hearts to the party, chasing dreams blooming. Young students are welcome to join the youth phalanx of military academies and schools, to show their ambitions in the barracks, to make meritorious achievements, to sing the song of youth, and to show that a strong country has me, and a strong army has my youth pride!

Reporter: According to foreign media reports, anonymous officials of the US Department of Defense said that Cambodia allows the Chinese military to use parts of the facilities of the Yunyang Naval Base exclusively, and the project "lacks transparency". China plans to enhance military delivery capabilities by building a global base network and monitoring U.S. military movements to deter U.S. military bases abroad. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: The continuous hype of normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia by individual media is completely ulterior motives. China and Cambodia are comprehensive strategic partners, and cooperation between the two countries in various fields is open, transparent, legitimate and reasonable. On June 8, the upgrading project of the Yunnan Naval Base aided by China officially began. The project is the result of mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia, a symbol of the hardcore friendship between the Chinese and Cambodian armies, in line with the domestic laws, relevant international laws and practices of the two countries, and is not aimed at third parties. The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense also issued a message saying that the transformation of the Yun loam base is aimed at strengthening the Cambodian Navy's ability to maintain maritime territorial integrity and combat maritime crimes.

China has always taken it as its duty to maintain regional and world peace and stability, while some people in some countries like to embrace stereotypes and treat others with their own feelings, wearing thick colored glasses, naturally seeing everything "opaque", and are prone to suspicious diseases, feeling that others are aimed at themselves. We urge these people to stop making irresponsible remarks, stop stirring up the so-called "Chinese military threat", and do more things conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability.

Reporter: Recently, Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, signed an order to issue the "Military Non-War Military Action Plan for Trial Implementation". Some foreign media commented that the outline will provide a legal basis for the Chinese military to ensure the security of strategic channels, protect overseas investments, projects and personnel, and achieve the goal of "safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests". What is the purpose and significance of the enactment of this regulation?

Tan Kefei: The Military Non-War Military Action Plan (Trial) came into effect on June 15, 2022. The "Outline" consists of 6 chapters and 59 articles, which mainly standardize the basic principles, organization and command, type of action, operation support, and political work of the military in non-war military operations.

The "Outline" adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implements Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army, adheres to the overall concept of national security, focuses on effectively preventing and resolving risks and challenges, responding to and handling emergencies, protecting the safety of people's lives and property, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding world peace and regional stability, innovating the use of military forces, and standardizing the organization and implementation of non-war military operations of the army, which is of great significance to the effective performance of the military's missions and tasks in the new era.

Reporter: According to reports, Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, recently held a meeting in Qingdao with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Bajewa. Please further introduce the relations between the Chinese and Pakistani militaries.

Tan Kefei: Under the complicated and changeable international and regional situation, the two militaries of China and Pakistan have always maintained healthy and stable exchanges and cooperation, and the "all-weather" friendship is unbreakable. The relations between the two militaries are the mainstay of Sino-Pakistani friendship, and the Two Militaries have carried out all-round, wide-ranging and multi-level exchanges, and the two sides have continuously deepened cooperation in various fields such as defense and security consultations, troop training, personnel training, exchanges between academies and universities, and non-traditional security, thus playing a positive role in safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries. The Chinese military is willing to further strengthen strategic communication with the Pakistani side, consolidate the foundation for cooperation, help China-Pakistan relations to further develop, and accelerate the construction of a closer China-Pakistan community of common destiny in the new era.

Reporter: According to reports, the Army Engineering University recently held an international seminar on the construction and development of emergency repair and construction forces. Please provide further information.

Tan Kefei: From June 23 to 24, the Army Engineering University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army held an international seminar on the construction and development of emergency repair and construction forces in Nanjing by video, which was attended by representatives of the armed forces of 12 countries, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei, as well as representatives of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

With the theme of "Construction and Development of Emergency Repair and Construction Forces in the New Era", the meeting focused on the three topics of "New Technology Discussion on Emergency Repair and Emergency Construction", "Emergency Repair and Emergency Construction in International Humanitarian Rescue and Disaster Reduction Action", and "Development of Emergency Repair and Construction Force under the New Crown Pneumonia Epidemic", aiming to explore the future construction direction and development trend of the army's emergency repair and construction force, share the useful experience of the armed forces of various countries in carrying out humanitarian rescue and disaster reduction operations, and build a bridge for exchanges and cooperation in the professional fields of Chinese and foreign militaries. Promote all parties concerned to work together to address global public security challenges and actively promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Reporter: According to reports, Australia and Canada have recently continued to hype up the so-called "PEOPLE's Liberation Army interception of its military aircraft", and the Australian side said that when the Chinese military aircraft carried out the "interception" operation, the Australian military aircraft was operating in "international airspace". During the Shangri-La Dialogue, Canada's defense minister said that China's "interception" of the Canadian military plane was "very worrying and unprofessional" and that the Canadian military plane was only carrying out the task of the United Nations sanctions resolution on North Korea. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: We have noted relevant reports that China has repeatedly clarified the truth and policy position. I would like to reiterate here that China's handling measures are reasonable, powerful, safe and professional. The relevant remarks of the Australian and Canadian sides distorted the facts and reversed black and white, and the Australian military plane entered the airspace near China's Xisha to reconnoiter closely, ignoring Repeated warnings from the Chinese side and continuously approaching China's Xisha airspace; Under the pretext of implementing the UN Security Council resolution, the Canadian military aircraft have stepped up their reconnaissance and provocation of China's approach and provoked China's national security, which is firmly opposed to this, and urges relevant countries to stop spreading false information, stop endangering China's national security and escalating sea and air tensions, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace and stability.

What is the vocation of a soldier? That is to defend the country. No matter what banner or excuse they seek, it is unreasonable to send military planes to the doorsteps of others to flaunt provocations and endanger the national security of other countries. The armed forces of any country will not sit idly by, and the Chinese military is certainly no exception. For such risky and provocative acts, I would like to emphasize two points here: First, come and counter once; Second, uninvited visitors shall bear the consequences.

Reporter: According to reports, the 13th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting was held on June 22. Please provide further information and evaluate the current defense relations between China and ASEAN.

Tan Kefei: The 13th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting was held recently. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Di ban, the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, and attended by leaders of the defense departments of ASEAN countries. All sides positively evaluated the development of ASEAN-China relations, appreciated China's respect for ASEAN's central position in regional cooperation, thanked China for providing anti-epidemic and military construction development assistance to regional countries, and was willing to deepen defense and security cooperation with China to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and sustainable development.

Over the past 30 years, China-ASEAN friendly cooperation has continued to develop and yield fruitful results. China and ASEAN are an inseparable security community. In the next step, the Chinese armed forces are willing to further deepen strategic mutual trust with ASEAN, improve exchange and cooperation mechanisms, focus on common security needs, expand dialogue, exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in the field of defense and security, earnestly shoulder the common responsibility of safeguarding regional security, and work together to build a closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny.

Reporter: According to foreign media reports, the commander of the US Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Bureau recently admitted that the United States has sent "offensive" cyber troops to Ukraine and launched cyber attacks on Russia. According to the US "Army Times", the number of US Army network and electronic warfare troops will be greatly expanded. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: We have noted relevant reports. As a victim of cyber attacks and an active advocate of building a safe, open and cooperative cyberspace, China is highly concerned about this irresponsible and dangerous behavior.

For a long time, the United States has violated international law and basic norms governing international relations by carrying out large-scale, organized, and indiscriminate cyber theft, surveillance, and attacks on foreign governments, businesses, and individuals. From the "Prism Gate", "Fury Horn Project", "Starwind Project", to the "Telescreen Operation", "Hive" platform and quantum attack system, it turns out that the United States is a veritable Matrix, eavesdropping empire, and eavesdropping Empire. In recent years, the US side has spared no effort to promote the militarization of cyberspace, the US Department of Defense issued the "Cyber Security Strategy Report" to adjust the "active defense" to a more offensive "defensive front", the US military vigorously develop offensive network combat forces, accelerate the transformation of network weapons in actual combat, and create a systematic network attack platform and a standardized attack equipment library. Cyber hegemony cannot bring "absolute security." Seeking absolute security at the expense of violating the network sovereignty and information security of other countries is a typical double standard and zero-sum game thinking, which can easily trigger a cyber arms race and undermine global strategic stability.

We call on the international community to jointly resist cyber hegemony and oppose an arms race in cyberspace. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national cyber sovereignty and information security.

Reporter: Some media speculate that the Japanese government may send active civilian officials of the Ministry of Defense to Taiwan in the near future. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: China firmly opposes Japan's use of any pretext to conduct any form of official exchanges and military contacts with Taiwan. We have expressed our grave concerns to the Japanese side in this regard and asked the Japanese side to make responsible clarifications.

The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, and is a major issue of principle that has a bearing on the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. In the four Political Documents between China and Japan, the Japanese side has clearly stated that it recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, fully understands and respects the Chinese Government's position that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China," and only maintains non-governmental or regional exchanges with Taiwan. If the Japanese side insists on provoking incidents, attempts to make a breakthrough in relations with Taiwan, or even makes a fuss in the highly sensitive field of military security, it will cause serious consequences. We urge the Japanese side not to send the wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" forces in any form, not to interfere in China's internal affairs in any form, and to do more things conducive to promoting political mutual trust between China and Japan and promoting regional peace and stability.

[Reporter] According to reports, the United States and Taiwan recently held the so-called annual "National Security Dialogue" and the "Monterrey Dialogue," a military security conference, to discuss the provision of weapons and other military support by the United States to Taiwan, to help Taiwan improve its "asymmetric combat" capability, and to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan through the US People's Police Guard's "National Partnership Program." Do you have any comment on this?

Tan Kefei: The Taiwan issue has always been the most important and sensitive core issue in Sino-US relations, and if it is not handled well, it will have a subversive impact on Sino-US relations. President Biden has clearly promised the Chinese side that "it will not support 'Taiwan independence,'" but the US side's approach runs counter to its position, which is support and connivance for the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, which is of a bad nature and has a very bad impact. The Chinese side is warning the US side that any attempt to "use Taiwan to control China" and to help Taiwan "resist reunification by force" is futile. The Chinese side urges the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three Sino-US joint communiques, stop arms sales to Taiwan and military collusion between the United States and Taiwan, and stop any form of official exchanges and military contacts with Taiwan. China will continue to take resolute and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(Produced by the Ministry of National Defense Network and China Military)