Transcript of the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense in February 2023

Source: Ministry of National Defense Network · Chinese military number

February 23, 2023

Issued by: Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense

Transcript of the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense in February 2023

On the afternoon of February 23, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, answered reporters' questions. Photo by Lv Zhe

First, I post two messages.

First message.

From February 27 to March 2, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Army was invited to Austria to participate in the "Edelweiss Assault-2023" international mountain infantry competition. This competition is conducive to deepening the friendly and pragmatic cooperation between the Chinese and Austrian militaries, and promoting exchanges and mutual trust between the Chinese military and the militaries of participating countries.

Second message.

From February 21 to 24, the Chinese PLA Army Engineering University held a video conference training for the expert group on mine clearance at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Nanjing. During the period, Chinese and foreign experts gave lectures on policies, regulations and standards related to international landmine issues, mine action organization and management, humanitarian mine clearance operation methods, technical equipment and personnel training, etc., and organized seminars and exchanges, with online participation from 17 member countries of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Council, as well as representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other institutions.

The training was an important event jointly hosted by China and Cambodia as co-chairs of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Plus Expert Group on Demining, which is of positive significance for further developing the coordination role of the expert group in solving regional mine-hazard problems and strengthening practical cooperation among member states and agencies in the field of non-traditional security.

Reporter: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the inscription written by Mao Zedong and other revolutionaries of the older generation for Comrade Lei Feng. According to the deployment arrangement, the army will carry out a series of activities to guide all officers and men to inherit the red gene and carry forward the spirit of Lei Feng. Please describe the specific arrangements.

Tan Kefei: Lei Feng is a great communist fighter trained and tempered in the melting pot of the people's army. Over the past 60 years, inspired by the spirit of the inscriptions and instructions of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping, and other central leading comrades, all officers and men have persistently regarded learning from Lei Feng's spirit and being Lei Feng's successors as an important political responsibility, carried out activities to learn from Lei Feng in step with the times, effectively strengthened the ideological and political construction of the troops, cultivated generations of good Lei Feng-style soldiers, and provided a powerful spiritual driving force for effectively carrying out the army's missions and tasks. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, the military's activities to learn from Lei Feng have been vigorously carried out, and the spirit of Lei Feng has continuously shone with the light of the times in striving to strengthen the military and strive to open up a new situation.

2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the inscription of Mao Zedong and other revolutionaries of the older generation for Comrade Lei Feng. In order to thoroughly study, publicize, and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, implement the spirit of Chairman Luo's important instructions on carrying forward Lei Feng's spirit, and continue to deepen and expand the activities of learning from Lei Feng, relevant military departments will carry out a series of activities: First, in late February, together with the Central Propaganda Department and other departments, a forum will be jointly held in Beijing on "Passing on the Spirit of Lei Feng from generation to generation -- commemorating the 60th anniversary of the inscription written by Mao Zedong and other revolutionaries of the older generation for Comrade Lei Feng." Second, on the morning of 1 March, together with the Communist Youth League Central Committee, typical representatives of military and local youth were organized to pay homage to Lei Feng's tomb in Fushun City, Liaoning Province. Third, on the afternoon of March 1, the Propaganda Department of the Communist Youth League Central Committee held a small forum to learn from Lei Feng in the unit where Lei Feng belonged before his death, focusing on "how to carry forward the spirit of Lei Feng in the new era and new journey". Fourth, on the morning of March 5, the People's Armed Forces Department of Wangcheng District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, will give full play to the traditional advantages of Lei Feng's hometown, carry out relevant commemorative activities, guide the majority of local school-age young people to actively join the army, and spread and carry forward the spirit of Lei Feng. Fifth, with the theme of "passing on the spirit of Lei Feng from generation to generation," organize troops to extensively carry out mass commemorative activities, publicize the advanced and typical deeds of learning from Lei Feng around officers and men, carry out study and discussion on practicing the spirit of Lei Feng and determined to strive to strengthen the army, guide officers and men to consciously strengthen their convictions, train troops and prepare for war, love their posts and dedicate themselves to their work, respect morality and goodness, and promote the normalization of activities to learn from Lei Feng.

The spirit of Lei Feng is an immortal monument, and the practice of Lei Feng spirit is endless. The whole army will deepen and expand the activities of learning from Lei Feng in connection with the in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and firmly realize the goal of 100 years since the founding of the army, so that the spirit of Lei Feng will continue and carry forward.

Question: According to reports, a US White House official recently said that China's "reconnaissance balloon" is a serious "violation" of US sovereign airspace. Defense Department officials said China remained a "pressing challenge" facing the United States. China is using economic, diplomatic, military and technological might to become the world's most influential power. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: We resolutely oppose the irresponsible remarks made by some people in the United States who ignore the facts. What poses a challenge and a real threat to world and regional security and stability is precisely the erroneous world view of some countries that is self-respecting and the narrow security concept that you lose and I win. The Chinese nation has the endowment and sentiment of peaceful development and benefiting the world, and is a nation that arouses healthy trends, upholds justice, and practices the right path. This is fundamentally different from those who conspire to manipulate the Game of Thrones in the House of Cards. For a long time, we have actively shouldered our international responsibilities and obligations, firmly upheld world peace and stability, and neither flaunted our military force around the world nor brought war and turmoil to other countries. History has proved and will continue to prove that the Chinese military has always been a staunch force in implementing global security initiatives and serving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

As stated in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, in order to avoid the scourge of war in succeeding generations, we must "practice tolerance and live in peace with one another as good neighbours". It is hoped that those who adhere to the zero-sum mentality of the Cold War will read more about the Charter, listen more to the voice of the international community, correct their erroneous perception of China, and make less alarmist remarks.

Reporter: The Wall Street Journal recently quoted a report submitted by the US Strategic Command to Congress that China currently has more land-based intercontinental ballistic launchers than the United States. Another Japanese media analysis believes that China plans to significantly expand the number of nuclear warheads by 2027. Once China achieves its goal of military modernization, it may abandon its no-first-use commitment. Any comments on this, please?

Tan Kefei: The relevant reports are irresponsible hype. China firmly pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense, with the aim of deterring other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against China and ensuring national strategic security. China has always abided by the policy of not being the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and has unequivocally undertaken not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China's nuclear policy is highly stable, continuous and predictable. China will not engage in a nuclear arms race with any country and will always maintain its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security.

The United States has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and is still investing heavily in upgrading its triad of nuclear forces, developing low-yield nuclear weapons, lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons use, and strengthening the nuclear umbrella. The US side has repeatedly hyped up the so-called "Chinese nuclear threat" in order to find an excuse for expanding its nuclear arsenal and maintaining military hegemony. We urge relevant parties to stop the hype, earnestly reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security policies, adopt a no-first-use policy, fulfill their special and priority responsibilities for nuclear disarmament, and take concrete actions to maintain global strategic stability.

Question: Recently, the navies of China, Russia and South Africa held their second joint maritime exercise in the relevant sea and air space of South Africa. Please provide further information on this.

Tan Kefei: According to the consensus reached by China, Russia and South Africa, from February 20 to 27, the navies of the three countries held the second joint maritime exercise in the airspace between Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa, and invited Brazil to observe it for the first time. The theme of the joint exercise was "Joint Action to Maintain the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities". The Chinese Navy sent the Huainan, Rizhao, and Cocoxili Lake ships to participate in the exercise. The joint exercise will help further promote BRICS cooperation in the field of defense and security and enhance the ability of all participants to jointly safeguard maritime security.

Question: According to reports, the guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese Navy recently went to Pakistan to participate in the "Peace-23" multinational naval exercise. Please provide further information on this.

Tan Kefei: From February 9 to 14, at the invitation of the Pakistan Navy, the Chinese Navy sent the Nanning ship to Karachi, Pakistan to participate in the "Peace-23" multinational naval exercise. During the exercise, the Chinese Navy participated in maritime subject exercises such as maritime replenishment, joint anti-piracy, and live firing at sea, as well as port and shore activities such as international maritime conferences, professional seminars and exchanges, and ship opening. The exercise further promoted maritime exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese Navy and the navies of other participating countries, demonstrated the determination to jointly safeguard maritime security, and improved the ability to jointly respond to maritime security threats.

The participating ships sailed to the mission area. Photo by Wu Kanci

Carrier-based helicopters take off to participate in overflight missions. Photo by Wu Yuqian

The participating ships are inspected. Photo by Liu Zhehao

Reporter: It is reported that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Army recently organized a team to participate in the "Cobra Gold-2023" joint exercise in Thailand. Please provide information on this.

Tan Kefei: From February 9 to March 10, the Army of the Southern Theater of the Chinese People's Liberation Army of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent a detachment to Thailand to participate in the "Cobra Gold-2023" multinational joint exercise humanitarian relief and disaster reduction exercise. This is the 10th consecutive time that our military has been invited to participate in the exercise since 2014. The exercise included engineering assistance, humanitarian relief and disaster reduction tabletop demonstration, high-level forum, and practical exercises on building collapse, hazardous substance leakage, medical first aid, fire rescue and other subjects. The exercise will help the Chinese military and foreign militaries exchange experience and practices in disaster relief and disaster reduction, and further promote pragmatic cooperation in related fields.

Question: According to reports, during US Defense Secretary Austin's recent visit to the Philippines, the two sides agreed to set up four additional military bases in the Philippines for the use of the US military and restart joint patrols in the South China Sea. What is China's comment on this?

Tan Kefei: China is highly concerned about the above developments and expresses serious concern over them. We have always maintained that defense and security cooperation among relevant countries should be conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability and should not target or harm the interests of third parties. At present, the United States continues to seek to strengthen its military deployment in the region and attempt to engage in camp confrontation, which will only create more trust deficits and tension and confrontation. This also proves once again that the US side is the most dangerous factor and the biggest source of chaos for aggravating regional tension and disrupting regional peace and stability. It is hoped that regional countries will clearly see the true purpose of the US side in safeguarding its own hegemony, so as not to be dragged astray by the US side into bloc confrontation and zero-sum game.

Question: According to reports, the Chinese Navy recently attended the Abu Dhabi International Maritime Defense Exhibition in the UAE. Please provide further information on this.

Tan Kefei: From February 17 to 25, at the invitation of the UAE military, the Chinese Navy sent the Nanning ship to the UAE to participate in the Abu Dhabi International Maritime Defense Exhibition. During the exhibition, the Nanning will hold professional seminars, mutual visits, sports competitions and other friendly exchange activities with the Afghan Navy and participating ships from other countries, which are open to the public.

Reporter: According to reports, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Central Military Commission recently issued the "Notice on Comprehensively Launching Military Administrative Litigation Work," which clearly regulates the overall requirements, key contents, and organizational leadership of military administrative litigation work. Please further elaborate on the main considerations and relevant circumstances of our military's military administrative litigation.

Tan Kefei: Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission have attached great importance to the construction of the rule of law in the military and made a series of major decisions and deployments on promoting the management of the army according to law and strictly managing the army. In 2015, the Central Military Commission listed "exploring the establishment of a military administrative litigation system" as an important task in the reform of the military judicial system. Carrying out military administrative litigation work is an important measure to comprehensively implement the strategy of managing the army according to law, and is an active exploration to build a strict system of restraint and supervision on the operation of power.

Since July 2017, with the approval of the Central Military Commission, the Political and Legal Commission of the Central Military Commission has organized pilot work on military administrative litigation in military courts in Beijing and Guangzhou, and achieved remarkable results. It is mainly embodied in: First, promoting the centralization and unification of the armed forces. Use judicial means to supervise the military at all levels to resolutely implement the decision-making instructions of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, strictly implement the laws and policies of the military, and ensure the smooth implementation of military orders and decrees. The second is to promote the building of a rule-of-law army. Establish and improve judicial supervision mechanisms for the exercise of power, exercise judicial supervision and restraint over the performance of duties and powers by military organs, especially leading cadres at all levels, promote the improvement of the ability of leading organs at all levels to make decisions, administer according to law, manage according to law, and handle affairs according to law, and promote a fundamental change in the way the military is administered. The third is to maintain the security and stability of the troops. With the help of the neutrality, impartiality and authority of judicial decisions, and closely cooperate with education management, resolve conflicts and disputes to the greatest extent and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of officers and soldiers; Give play to the functions of classifying and ending disputes in litigation and providing legal guarantees for reducing administrative disputes, eliminating hidden risks, and enhancing the cohesion and combat effectiveness of troops.

In the next step, military courts at all levels will, in accordance with the requirements of the Central Military Commission's Political and Legal Affairs Committee's "Notice on Comprehensively Carrying Out Military Administrative Litigation Work," give full play to the role of military administrative litigation functions, continuously improve the quality and efficiency of trial work, and provide a strong legal guarantee for strengthening the army and rejuvenating the army.

Reporter: The director of the CIA recently said that China has ordered the PLA to prepare for an attack on Taiwan by 2027. The Assistant Secretary for Indo-Pacific Affairs of the US Department of Defense said at a congressional hearing that he was convinced that there would be no major "infringement" on Taiwan before 2030 Chinese mainland. The U.S. Air Force chief of staff said it did not believe Chinese mainland "invasion" of Taiwan was imminent or inevitable. Any comments on this, please?

Tan Kefei: We have noticed that the US side often makes such contradictory remarks. I would like to stress that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and resolving the Taiwan issue is Chinese its own affair, which must be decided by the Chinese and brook no outside interference. No matter what the US side says, it will not change the process of China's reunification or shake our determination and will to defend national unity and territorial integrity.

"No one is like a brother." Compatriots on both sides of the strait are one family. We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts. However, if the DPP authorities are obsessed and persistently engage in provocations for "independence" in collusion with external forces, blindly escalate cross-strait confrontation and confrontation, and even do not hesitate to put Taiwan compatriots in a dangerous situation, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will speak with deeds, take necessary measures to resolutely thwart any separatist act of "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and firmly safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

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