Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
On the afternoon of July 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered recent media queries concerning the military.
On the afternoon of July 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answers recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Sun Yue)
(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)
Jiang Bin: First, I would like to announce one piece of information.
The People’s Armed Police (PAP) will host the Sharp Blade-2025 International Sniper Competition in Xinjiang in mid-July. Competition events include precision sniping, typical scenario sniping, comprehensive combat sniping and extreme scenario sniping. Nearly 50 sniper teams from 20-plus countries will participate in the events. The Competition will help improve realistic training of the PAP, and strengthen its cooperation and exchange with foreign police and gendarmerie forces.
Journalist: The Shandong carrier task group concluded a successful visit to Hong Kong. Please tell us more about the visit.
Jiang Bin: From July 3 to 7, Shandong aircraft carrier task group visited Hong Kong and many activities were carried out including vessel open days, training demonstrations, a deck reception, and sports and cultural exchanges. The visit sparked a new wave of “carrier fever” in the “Pearl of the Orient”. The timing of the visit coincided with the 28th year since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the 5th anniversary of the promulgation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is the first time PLANS Shandong was open to the public after it commissioning. More than 30,000 Hong Kong residents, young students, and patriots from all walks of life boarded this big ship and engaged with navy sailors with a strong sense of national pride and belonging. We believe that with an advantage of having the backing of the motherland and being connected to the world, Hong Kong will enjoy greater prosperity and stability and the “Pearl of the Orient” will shine more brightly.
Journalist: It is reported that the PLA and the PAP participated in flood rescue in Rongjiang county of Guizhou. Please brief us on the details.
Jiang Bin: Recently, Guizhou’s Rongjiang county was struck by floods. A natural disaster is an order for action, and the disaster-hit area is the battlefield for the troops. PLA and PAP forces rushed to the affected region to fight the floods and mitigate the losses. More than 9,200 military personnel and 14,000 militia personnel have been deployed, and 90 sets of large engineering equipment mobilized to participate in such tasks as search and rescue, relocation of residents, road clearance, supplies transportation, removal of mud, and disinfection.
People’s safety is the top priority. The people’s military will faithfully live up to its fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, earnestly safeguard the lives and property of the people, and resolutely fulfill all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.
Journalist: It is reported that some countries are in talks with China to purchase Chinese weapons including J-10 fighter jets. Please comment on that.
Jiang Bin: The Chinese government maintains a prudent and responsible approach to military exports. We are willing to share the achievements of China’s equipment development with friendly countries and play a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability.
Journalist: According to foreign media reports, a large number of foreign vessels have recently been flying the Five-Starred Red Flag while transiting the Strait of Hormuz to avoid becoming targets of attack. Some analysts believe that this is precisely because China upholds the principles of objectivity, neutrality, and win-win cooperation, which provides Chinese vessels with a relatively high level of security when passing through waters in the Middle East. Please comment on that.
Jiang Bin: What is right is right. The Chinese side will continue to stand for peace and justice, stay on the right side of history, and inject stabilizing and positive factors to regional and world peace and tranquility.
Journalist: According to reports, Taiwan’s military will conduct the Han Kuang-41 live-troop exercise starting from July 9. The exercise will focus on such subjects as the so-called “response to gray-zone harassment”, “joint anti-landing operations” and “resilient defense on the Island”. Meanwhile, many US weapons will make their debut during the exercise. What’s your comment?
Jiang Bin: The Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick played by the DPP authorities to hijack Taiwan compatriots on-board its “Taiwan Independence” war chariot. The DPP authorities are harming Taiwan out of its selfish interests. We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that “seeking independence by force” is a dead end. Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the PLA’s resolute countermeasures against “Taiwan Independence” would not be deterred, nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China’s national reunification be stopped.
Journalist: Recently, Lai Ching-te delivered the fourth lecture of his so-called “10 lectures on Unity,” in which he once again played up the so-called “mainland military threat,” called for increased “defense” spending, and urged Taiwan’s military to “fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen, and Mazu.” Please comment on that.
Jiang Bin: Taiwan is a province of China. Therefore, how is it possible for it to have a budget for so-called national defense? Lai Ching-te has distorted history and facts and made up lies to cloak his separatist plot for “Taiwan independence.” He has hyped up the so-called mainland threat to stoke security anxiety and manipulate public opinions in Taiwan. By doing that, he is attempting to militarize Taiwan’s society and leave the island’s future to the mercy of external forces. Lai Ching-te’s call to “fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu” is in fact a call to fight for the the DPP authorities’ interests and “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. It will only lead Taiwan people to the dead-end of “resisting reunification with force” and “selling out and ruining Taiwan.”
The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu are all inalienable parts of China’s sacred territory. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese. The louder Lai and his like clamor for separatism, the faster they will court their demise. Any “Taiwan independence” armed forces that support them will be buried together. The PLA has full capability and confidence to thwart all separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” and to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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