On the evening of April 19, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Wu Qian answered recent media queries concerning the PLA Information Support Force.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), releases news at a press conference on the evening of April 19, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng）

4月19日晚上，国防部举行专题记者会，国防部新闻局局长、国防部新闻发言人吴谦大校答记者问。张智程 摄

Wu Qian: The inaugural conference of the PLA Information Support Force was held in Bayi Building on April 19th, 2024. I will now take questions concerning the conference.

2024年4月19日，中国人民解放军信息支援部队成立大会在北京八一大楼隆重举行。我愿就会议有关内容回答记者提问。

Question: The conference inaugurates the Information Support Force. What kind of force is it?

问：这次大会宣布成立信息支援部队，这支部队是一支什么样的力量？

Wu Qian: Establishing the Information Support Force through restructuring is a major decision made by the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC) for the cause of building a strong military, and a strategic step to establish a new system of services and arms and improve the modern military force structure with Chinese characteristics. This is of profound and far-reaching significance to the modernization of national defense and the armed forces and effective fulfillment of the missions and tasks of the People's military in the new era. The Information Support Force is a brand-new strategic arm of the PLA and a key underpinning of coordinated development and application of the network information system. It plays an important role and bears great responsibility in promoting high-quality development and the ability to fight and win in modern warfare.

答：调整组建信息支援部队，是党中央和中央军委从强军事业全局出发作出的重大决策，是构建新型军兵种结构布局、完善中国特色现代军事力量体系的战略举措，对加快国防和军队现代化、有效履行新时代人民军队使命任务具有重大而深远的意义。信息支援部队是全新打造的战略性兵种，是统筹网络信息体系建设运用的关键支撑，在推动我军高质量发展和打赢现代战争中地位重要、责任重大。

Question: Following up on your answer to the last question, please give us more details about "establishing a new system of services and arms".

问：刚才提到构建新型军兵种结构布局，请介绍一下有关情况。

Wu Qian: With the latest reform, the PLA now has a new system of services and arms under the leadership and command of the CMC. There are four services, namely the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Rocket Force, and four arms, including the Aerospace Force, the Cyberspace Force, the Information Support Force and the Joint Logistics Support Force. As circumstances and tasks evolve, we will continue to refine the modern military force structure with Chinese characteristics.

答：这次改革后，中国人民解放军总体形成中央军委领导指挥下的陆军、海军、空军、火箭军等军种，军事航天部队、网络空间部队、信息支援部队、联勤保障部队等兵种的新型军兵种结构布局。随着形势任务的发展，我们将不断完善中国特色军事力量体系。

Question: What tasks will the Aerospace Force undertake? Does this imply any changes to China’s space policy?

问：军事航天部队担负什么任务，是否说明中国的太空政策发生变化？

Wu Qian: Space is a shared asset of humanity. Space security provides strategic assurance for national and social development. Building the Aerospace Force is of great significance to strengthening the capacity to safely enter, exit and openly use space, enhancing crisis management and the efficacy of comprehensive governance in space and promoting peaceful utilization of space. China's space policy is clear. We are committed to peaceful utilization of space and stand ready to work with all countries with the same commitment to strengthen exchanges, deepen cooperation and contribute to lasting peace and common security in space.

答：太空是人类共同的财富。太空安全是国家建设和社会发展的战略保障。推进军事航天部队建设，对提高安全进出和开放利用太空能力、增强太空危机管控和综合治理效能、更好和平利用太空具有重要意义。中方的太空政策清晰明确，我们一向坚持和平利用太空，愿同所有和平利用太空的国家一道，加强交流、深化合作、为维护太空持久和平与共同安全作出贡献。

Question: What tasks will the Cyberspace Force assume? Does this mean cyberspace militarization?

问：网络空间部队担负什么任务，是否说明要推动网络空间军事化？

Wu Qian: Cyber security remains a global challenge and poses a severe threat to China. Developing the Cyberspace Force and cyber security and defense means are important for reinforcing national cyber border defense, promptly detecting and countering network intrusions and maintaining national cyber sovereignty and information security. We actively advocate building a cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation and are committed to working with the international community to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

答：网络安全是全球性挑战，也是中国面临的严峻安全威胁。推进网络空间部队建设，大力发展网络安全防御手段，对筑牢国家网络边防，及时发现和抵御网络入侵，捍卫国家网络主权和信息安全具有重要意义。我们积极倡导建设和平、安全、开放、合作的网络空间，致力于同国际社会一道共同构建网络命运共同体。

That concludes today's press conference. Thank you.

吴谦：今天的新闻发布会开到这里，谢谢大家。