By Guo Yuandan

This photo shows the formation of Chinese and Russian military aircraft participating in the second China-Russia joint air strategic patrol in late November, 2024. (Photo by Sun Liren)

Military diplomacy serves as a crucial means to safeguard world peace and foster cooperation on global security. In 2024, amidst the ongoing evolution of the global landscape, the Chinese military has engaged in military exchanges and cooperation, including reciprocal visits, joint exercises, training, and patrols, with a more open and inclusive approach towards various nations. Many experts have identified three features of China's military diplomacy for the year.

Feature One: High-profile military diplomacy between major countries

When discussing China's military diplomacy in 2024, experts unanimously highlighted the development of China's military diplomacy with major countries such as Russia and the US as one of the most significant features.

Throughout 2024, there has been a flurry of high-level exchanges and joint training exercises between the Chinese and Russian militaries. In early to mid-July, the China-Russia "Exercise Joint Sea-2024" took place in the waters and airspace near Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province. Later, in late July and late November respectively, the two countries' air forces conducted joint air strategic patrols.

Moreover, the Chinese and Russian coast guards carried out joint exercises and patrols, marking a historic first. This is the first time that the China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet has entered the Arctic Ocean, effectively extending the reach of maritime law enforcement and thoroughly testing the CCG's capabilities to perform tasks in unfamiliar waters.

In 2024, the high-level military cooperation between China and Russia has continued to broaden and intensify across various dimensions. This reflects a high level of political, strategic, and military mutual trust, playing a notable positive role in maintaining the healthy development of China-Russia relations, deterring and countering military coercion by major powers, adapting to current security challenges and demands, and upholding peace and stability in the region.

In contrast, China-US relations are still full of twists and turns. In 2024, however, the Chinese and US militaries have sustained dialogue and communication. On May 31, Chinese Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held their inaugural in-person meeting in Singapore during the Shangri-La Dialogue; the 17th and 18th Defense Policy Coordination Talks took place in January and September respectively; two China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) Working Group meetings were convened in April and November; and in September, a theater-level commandertalk was held between the Chinese and US militaries. It is evident that in 2024, the Chinese and US militaries have fully and orderly resumed communication and exchange mechanisms at all levels, addressing a wide array of topics from defense policy to theater force operations. This demonstrates the shared desire of both militaries to maintain interactions and cooperation despite the complexities.

Beyond the cooperation and dialogue with Russia and the US, China held defense strategy consultations with France and the UK on June 27 and September 25 respectively, discussed the advancement of bilateral defense relations and engaged in in-depth exchanges on international and regional security issues of mutual concern, further enhancing mutual understanding and trust. Additionally, in March, the China-EU defense and security policy dialogue and the China-NATO security policy dialogue were successively held in Beijing.

Feature Two: Unprecedented number of joint exercises and training with foreign militaries since the pandemic

In 2024, the Chinese military has not only made significant strides in military diplomacy with major countries but also been highly active in international military operations. As per the official reports on the Ministry of National Defense's website, China has engaged in over 20 joint exercises and training with foreign militaries this year, marking the most since the outbreak of the pandemic.

In terms of the timeline, starting from the end of February with the Chinese forces' participation in the Cobra Gold 2024 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise, to the China-Indonesia Peace (Heping) Garuda-2024 joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise conducted from December 1 to 7, the Chinese military's international joint training activities have extended throughout the year.

Regarding participating troops, all theater commands have contributed forces to these military actions. For instance, in the recently concluded Peace (Heping) Garuda-2024, the Chinese participants were dispatched by the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA); the China-Iran-Russia Security Bond-2024joint naval drills involved the 45th Chinese naval escort taskforcefrom the PLA Northern Theater Command; and the "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise saw participation from the PLA Central Theater Command.

In terms of the focus of these exercises, the majority of drills conducted by China with other nations have concentrated on non-traditional security domains, such as counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief. A case in point is the China-Laos "Peace Train-2024" joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise held in late November. Additionally, the Chinese and Nepalese armies conducted the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint military training in late September, centered around "joint counter-terrorism operations in urban blocks".

"The significant proportion of non-traditional security subjects in joint exercises and training with foreign militaries demonstrates China's role and responsibility as a major country committed to global peace and security. Through these cooperative efforts, China has contributed to addressing common security challenges, upholding global peace and stability, and fostering the development of a community with a shared future for mankind," commented Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert.

Notably, this year's joint exercises and training between the Chinese military and foreign forces have also achieved breakthroughs. For example, from late July to mid-August, the Chinese military conducted the "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise with the militaries of Tanzania and Mozambique, marking the first time China has organized an exercise involving both land and naval forces with African nations.

Feature Three: Diverse multilateral military exchange activities

In 2024, the Chinese military's external military exchange activities have yielded significant outcomes across various domains, including mutual ship visits, international military conferences, and peacekeeping missions. These activities have bolstered the operational capabilities and global reach of the Chinese military and have played a role in advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as well as upholding global peace and stability.

On December 9, a Russian naval frigate fleet concluded a successful five-day goodwill visit to China's eastern port city of Qingdao, departing from a military port there. Besides, this year saw visits to China by the Indonesian Navy's sail training ship Kri Bima Suci and the Vietnamese Navy's missile frigate Tran Hung Dao.

Chinese naval vessels have also made numerous visits abroad. In early August, the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo (Hull 163) and the comprehensive supply ship Honghu (Hull 906)attached to the 46th Chinese naval escort taskforce visited Egypt. From late August to early December, the PLA Navy's first sailing training ship Po Langtraversed six maritime areas, including the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, Natuna Sea, Java Sea, and Andaman Sea, over the course of more than three months.

Besides, from late August to early September, the Chinese PLA Air Force dispatched seven J-10 aerobatic aircraft and one Y-20 transport aircraft from the Bayi Aerobatic Team to participate in the Egypt International Airshow. As the Chinese military goes global, it also welcomes military representatives and scholars from around the world. A series of high-level military officer seminars and cadet exchange events have been held, such as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, the International Symposium on SunTzu's Art of War, the Seminar on Security Situation in the Gulf of Guinea, the"Maritime Community with a Shared Future" Forum for Commandants of International Naval Colleges and Academies, and the Seminar for Senior Military Officers from China and Arab States, marking the most eventful year for multilateral military exchanges to date.

Furthermore, the Chinese military has been actively advocating key concepts like the Global Security Initiative through practical actions. The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on the "Mission Harmony-2024" visited 13 countries, offering medical services during its journey.

China is a pivotal player in UN peacekeeping, contributing significantly to global efforts. Whether through the "Mission Harmony-2024" or other international peacekeeping operations undertaken by Chinese forces, these missions can help recipient countries enhance their defensive and governance capacities. The Chinese military has consistently demonstrated China's commitment to global security, underscoring its role as a crucial force in advancing world peace.

Editor's note: Originally published on huanqiu.com, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.