On the afternoon of April 12, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Wu Qian answered recent media queries concerning the military.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director General of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Information Office, spokesperson for the MND of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answered recent media queries concerning the military on the afternoon of April 12, 2024. (Photo by Lyu Zhe/mod.gov.cn)

I have a piece of news to announce at the top.

According to the annual plan, on April 12, the Ministry of National Defense held the International Security Cooperation Seminar for Foreign Military Attachés to China at the International College of Defense Studies of the National Defense University of the PLA. Foreign Defense attachés and the Military Advisor of the Delegation of the European Union attended the event. In the form of themed presentations, and discussions, this seminar invited leaders and experts from relevant military and civilian units to introduce the important vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Global Security Initiative, as well as the guiding principles of this year's "two sessions", China's national defense policy, and the protection of the rights and interests of Chinese veterans. Moreover, discussions and exchanges were conducted on topics such as "international strategic situation and the Global Security Initiative", "international exchanges and cooperation in areas including military training and education", and "approaches to strengthening international military cooperation in response to global security challenges".

Question: In early April, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with US President Joe Biden at the request of the latter. The two leaders agreed to advance consultation mechanisms in diplomatic and other fields as well as mil-to-mil communication. Recently, China and the US held the Maritime Military Consultative Agreement (MMCA) working group meeting, which, according to US media, symbolizes the resumption of bilateral maritime military dialogue. What's your comment on this? What other activities will the two sides hold?

Wu Qian: Recently, President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Joe Biden on the phone at the request of the US side. The two presidents had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and issues of common interest, charting the course for the development of state-to-state and mil-to-mil relations between China and the US. To implement the important consensus of the two presidents, since the beginning of this year, the two sides have successfully held the 17th Defense Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT), and made steady progress in searching for the remains of missing US military personnel in China during WWII. From April 3 to 4, Chinese and US military officials held the 2024 MMCA working group meeting in Hawaii. On the basis of equality and respect, the two sides had positive and constructive discussions on the current air and maritime safety and security situation between them, and evaluated the execution of the Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters (ROB) since the MMCA in 2021. They also discussed measures to improve military maritime safety and security between the two countries.

Going forward, we hope that the US side can work with the Chinese side in the same direction, strengthen dialogue in a mutually respectful way, manage differences prudently, and advance cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit, so as to promote a stable mil-to-mil relationship and increase positive expectations about bilateral ties. As for other specific exchange programs, the defense authorities of the two countries are in communication and coordination with each other. We will release relevant information in due course.

Question: Recently, Indonesian President-elect, Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto visited China on invitation and held meetings and talks with Chinese state and military leaders. According to the Indonesian Defense Ministry, expanding defense cooperation is one of the important goals of the visit. Please give us more details about this visit and comment on the current military-to-military relations between China and Indonesia.

Wu Qian: Recently, Indonesian President-elect, Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto visited China on invitation. President Xi Jinping held talks with him and pointed out that "China is willing to deepen all-round strategic cooperation with Indonesia" and "build a China-Indonesia community with a shared future that has regional and global influence". Defense Minister Dong Jun also met with Prabowo. Prabowo made China the first stop of his first foreign visit after being elected president, which reflects the great importance he attaches to the China-Indonesia friendship and his genuine willingness to develop military-to-military relations between the two countries.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of China and Indonesia, the two militaries have maintained close high-level exchanges and shown a sound momentum of vigorous development in areas including joint exercises and training, ship visits, personnel training and multilateral coordination. Moving forward, we are willing to work with the Indonesian side to further consolidate strategic mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, so as to bring the military-to-military relationship to a new level.

Question: The US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines held their first joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea recently. In a joint statement, the defense leaders of the four countries claimed that the move was to demonstrate "collective commitment" to strengthen cooperation. In addition, it is reported that during a recent trilateral summit of the leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines, the US side stated that any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces would invoke the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. Some believe that this act aims at offsetting China's growing economic, diplomatic and military influence in this region. What's your take on that?

Wu Qian: We uphold that defense cooperation between countries should not target any specific country or undermine regional peace and stability. China's relevant activities in the South China Sea are justified, lawful and beyond reproach. In contrast, certain non-regional country frequently sends military vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea to flex muscles, gather its allies to build up "small cliques" against China, and even threatens and coerces China with the so-called mutual defense treaty. These acts are irresponsible and extremely dangerous.

The South China Sea is a shared home for countries in the region. We stay committed to resolving differences properly through dialogue and consultation and are firmly opposed to external interference and provocations that create regional tensions. Recently, the Philippine side, on the one hand, induced external forces to interfere in the South China Sea issue and intruded into relevant islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao; on the other hand, it activated its propaganda machine against China to hype up the so-called "the big bullying the small" and played victim. The Chinese side is strongly opposed to this. The settlement of the South China Sea issue should be based on reasons, not sizes. China never bullies other countries. At the same time, we will never allow the Philippine side to act willfully. You can count on the Chinese military to keep our word on safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

Question: It is reported that Taiwan's Naval Chief recently visited the headquarters of US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii and attended relevant events of the US military. Some sources said that this visit is part of the US efforts to implement the "Joint Island Defense Concept". Its aim is to coordinate with the Taiwan authorities to counter China's armed forces within the "first island chain". Could you please comment on that?

Wu Qian: The Chinese side is firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges and military contacts between the US and China's Taiwan region. Our position is clear-cut. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. To solve the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and brooks no foreign interference.

The so-called "first island chain" is a product of the Cold War geopolitics. Any attempt to block and contain China is nothing but wishful thinking. We urge the US side to truly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, fulfill its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence", and immediately stop its military collusion and official contact with Taiwan. We warn the DPP authorities that the "chess piece" in other's power game will ultimately be abandoned; and "seeking independence by force" will get nowhere but a dead end. The PLA will take resolute actions against any form of separatist actions seeking "Taiwan independence".

Question: According to reports, commander of the US Army Pacific said in a recent interview that the US plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific in the near future. What's your comment on that?

Wu Qian: The US pushing for the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Asia-Pacific region is a dangerous move that will seriously threaten the security of regional countries and undermine regional peace and stability. China is firmly opposed to it and will take resolute countermeasures. We urge the US side to truly respect other countries' security concerns and stop harming regional peace and stability.

Question: It is reported that the Chinese military recently held a live-fire military exercise along the China-Myanmar border. Some foreign media say that the move is seen as a message asking the Myanmar military and armed groups to abide by the truce, and a way to stop the conflict from spilling over to the border areas. Please comment on that.

Wu Qian: The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently organized army and air force units to hold a joint live-fire exercise on the Chinese side of the China-Myanmar border according to its annual training plan. The exercise aims to test the combat capabilities of the troops in the theater, including rapid maneuvering, precise destruction, three-dimensional blockade and control, and joint strike, to prepare for different emergencies at any time.

Recently, the conflict in northern Myanmar has seriously threatened the security and stability of the China-Myanmar border areas and the safety of lives and property of both Chinese and Myanmarese people living there. As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China follows closely the current situation in northern Myanmar and urges all parties to immediately cease fire to ease tensions as soon as possible. The exercise of the Chinese side demonstrated the determination, will, and capability of the troops in the theater to fight and win. The Chinese military will always be on high alert and continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, border stability, and the safety of people's lives and property.