On the afternoon of January 12, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang answered recent media queries concerning the military.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on the afternoon of January 12, 2024. (Photo/mod.gov.cn)

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

I have two pieces of news at the top.

Since the beginning of 2024, the Chinese military has commenced its annual military training across the board. The troops have started activities including combat commanding research and exercises, force-on-force exercises, military skills competition, and readiness drills, with military training and combat readiness in full swing.

This year, the Chinese military at all levels will thoroughly study and follow the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and focus on achieving the military's centenary goal. We will step up realistic training, and push forward the transformation and upgrading of military training. First, we will enhance basic training. The PLA will follow the principles detailed in the on-site meeting on basic training to promote models and measures including specialized teaching, integrated training, simulation training, and standardized assessment. Extensive military training and competitions will be carried out to lay a solid foundation for fighting and winning wars. Second, we will strengthen force-on-force training. The military will establish complex training environment and authentically simulate combat opponents to strengthen command and force-on-force exercises. Emphasis will be placed on continuous day-to-night force-on-force training and exercises under extremeconditions to relentlessly hone the troops. Third, we will improve joint training. We will deepen joint operations and training, strengthen training for frontline troops, and expand realistic joint exercises. More efforts will be made to organize joint formations consisting of different services and arms, and use different formations as each other's opponent or condition for training, to accelerate the enhancement of integrated joint operational capabilities. Fourth, we will bolster training with technological application. Aiming at high-end warfare, we will strengthen research and training in informationized and intelligent warfare, ensure effective training in the operational application of new equipment centered on unmanned and intelligent capabilities, and cultivate new growth poles of asymmetric combat capabilities. Chinese service members will resolutely implement the decisions and instructions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC), the Central Military Commission (CMC) and President Xi Jinping, stay fearless to stand up to any strong enemy and determined to win any battle, and foster the fighting spirit of being undaunted by hardship or death, devote themselves wholeheartedly to extensive military training and preparedness for the new era and comprehensively build an elite and reliable military force that reassures the Party and the people.

The second one.

To promote exchanges and cooperation between the air forces of China and Laos and deepen our state-to-state and mil-to-mil relations, the Red Falcon Aerobatic Team of the PLA Air Force will visit Laos from January 13th to 20th at the invitation of the Lao Ministry of National Defense. The team will participate in the activities celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Army and perform flying displays. This is the first time for the Red Falcon Aerobatic Team to perform outside China. It will convey the profound friendship of the Chinese people and military to their Lao counterparts and send festival wishes through its stunt performances.

Question: President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently signed the order to release the regulations on transportation and force projection by the military, which took effect on January 1st, 2024. Please brief us on the regulations and their innovative features.

Answer: With the approval of President Xi Jinping, the CMC issued the regulations on transportation and force projection by the military, which took effect on January 1st, 2024. This is a significant and symbolic achievement of the reform of military policies and institutions in the field of military logistics. It will play an important role in guiding, promoting and standardizing transportation and force projection and realize high-quality development of the work.

These years have witnessed the rapid transformation of China's transportation, the refinement and acceleration of military modernization, the deepening of national defense and military reform, and the full development of reform in China's central and state institutions. Transportation and force projection by the military has undergone significant changes in its status and role, functions and missions, internal and external factors, and supporting conditions. The previous working modes and mechanisms can no longer keep up with the pace of reform. The military's transportation and force projection operations have withstood tests and gained valuable experience through various rescue and disaster relief operations, pandemic response operations, exercises and training, overseas military operations and major special tasks. Timely efforts should be made to summarize the experience and incorporate it into laws and regulations and established institutional norms, thereby facilitating the modernized, law-based and scientific transformation and upgrading of transportation and force projection.

The regulations, with a total of 58 articles, emphasizes ideological guidance, combat readiness, reform and innovation, and systematic planning. To build strong and modernized logistics, the regulations adjusted and standardized institutional mechanism, functional orientation, and organizational process of transportation and force projection. It will provide a strong support for improving the capabilities, quality and efficiency of transportation and force projection.

Question: It's reported that the 17th China-US Defense Policy Coordination Talks was recently held in Washington D.C.. The Pentagon spokesperson said that the US side maintained contact with the Chinese side at the working level, and the two sides planned to hold the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting in early 2024. What's your comment on this?

Answer: We have released information regarding the 17th China-US Defense Policy Coordination Talks. The Chinese side's position on developing China-US military relations is consistent and clear. We advocate bilateral exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and respect to build a sound, stable and sustained mil-to-mil relationship. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the China-US diplomatic ties. We expect the US side to adopt a right perception of China, respect the core interests and major concerns of the Chinese side, and take concrete actions to work with us in the same direction to follow through the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco.

Question: According to US media, US military officials said that there had been no major unsafe encounters between the two militaries' vessels or aircraft since October last year. It shows an ease of tension between the two militaries. What is your comment?

Answer: The root cause of air and maritime military security issues between China and the United States is that US warships and aircraft have made provocations at China's doorstep and conducted long-term, large-scale and frequent close-in reconnaissance in the waters and airspace around China. The Chinese military took countermeasures in accordance with laws and regulations and acted in a legitimate, rational, professional and restrained manner.

What the US side needs to do is to stop all dangerous provocations and strictly discipline its troops on the ground. This is the fundamental way to prevent air and maritime accidents and create conditions for developing sound and steady bilateral military relations.

Question: It was reported that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) recently conducted joint patrols in the South China Sea, and thePhilippine Army commander said that "such military activity marked a significant leap in Manila's alliance with the US and its interoperability with the American military". Meanwhile, the PLA Southern Theater Command also organized air and naval forces to conduct routine patrols and joint exercises in the South China Sea. What is your comment?

Answer: We uphold that defense cooperation between countries should not harm the interests of a third party or undermine regional peace and security. The purpose for the Philippine side to conduct the so-called joint patrols in the South China Sea with certain non-regional country is to stir up trouble in the region by using external forces, which will only escalate tensions in the South China Sea and undermine regional peace and stability. We urge the Philippine side to refrain from speculation and gambling and stop irresponsible hype. The Chinese military will remain on high alert and continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Question: According to reports, Taiwan has upgraded all of its 140 F-16V Block 20 fighters in active service and will purchase 66 F-16V Block 70 fighters from the US before 2026. What is your comment?

Answer: The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are squandering hard-earned money of the Taiwan people on buying US weapons for their selfish interest. This will not stop the prevailing trend of complete reunification of China, and will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war. The PLA will always be on high alert and take all necessary measures to thwart any separatist attempt for "Taiwan independence" in any form and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.