Ministry of national defense： comprehensively promote international military cooperation to improve quality and efficiency

On the afternoon of December 28th, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions.

Reporter:The media are concerned that China’s military diplomacy has been carried out in a vivid way this year and achieved fruitful results. Please tell us more about the situation.

Wu Qian:2023 is the first year to fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. The military diplomacy work thoroughly implements the supreme leader’s thought of strengthening the army, thoroughly implements the diplomatic thought of the supreme leader, takes the diplomacy of the head of state as the guide, takes high-level exchanges as the starting point, takes pragmatic cooperation as the key, takes the multilateral platform as the highlight, keeps the integrity, innovates and bravely moves forward, comprehensively promotes international military cooperation to improve quality and efficiency and achieve high-quality development.

First, effectively serve the overall situation of political diplomacy.Under the guidance of the diplomatic strategy of the head of state, the leaders of the Central Military Commission carried out strategic communication and deepened strategic cooperation with the defense departments and military leaders of Russia, the United States, Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan, South Africa and other countries. China’s armed forces have strengthened consultation and dialogue with the armed forces of relevant countries, expanded pragmatic cooperation, and actively promoted the diplomatic achievements of the head of state in the field of international military cooperation.

Second, resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and development interests.In view of the negative and erroneous remarks and acts of infringement and provocation of individual countries on the Taiwan Province issue and the South China Sea issue, while organizing rights protection actions in accordance with the law and regulations, we should effectively carry out diplomatic negotiations, promptly and forcefully refute them, show China’s solemn position, and warn and expose foreign negative trends.

The third is to actively expand foreign-related military operations.We organized and implemented 34 joint training leagues such as "North Joint -2023", "Peace Friendship -2023", "Golden Dragon -2023" and "Friendship Shield -2023" between China and Laos, expanded multi-bilateral training cooperation platforms, deepened mutual trust and cooperation with the armed forces of relevant countries, and made positive contributions to maintaining regional stability.

The fourth is to innovate and carry out multilateral diplomatic activities.Hold the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, etc. to explore peaceful solutions to hot issues and create a paradigm of international security cooperation; Participate in multilateral activities such as the shangri-la dialogue Conference, the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Expansion Meeting, actively explain major ideas such as global security initiatives, and unite the consensus of the international community on peaceful cooperation.

The fifth is to serve and build a community of human destiny.The "Square Boat" hospital ship visited Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, East Timor and other five countries. The PLA medical experts were stationed in Zambia, Cambodia, Laos and other countries to provide medical services to local people. The Air Force transports -20 aircraft to Afghanistan, Nepal and other countries to carry out humanitarian rescue missions; Naval ship formations went to Sudan for emergency evacuation; Actively participate in peacekeeping, escort and other actions to continuously provide public safety products to the international community.

For peace, go to the world. Guided by the Supreme Leader’s New Era Socialism with Chinese characteristics Thought, China’s armed forces have always been committed to expanding and deepening foreign military relations, strengthening pragmatic exchanges and cooperation, and making due contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Wu Qian: The year 2023 marks the first year for fully implementing the guiding principles laid down at the 20th CPC National Congress. On military diplomacy, we　acted on　Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military　and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, followed the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, took high-level exchanges　as important means, focused on practical cooperation and gave emphasis to 　multilateral　platforms. We have broken new ground, forged ahead with enterprise and fortitude, enhanced the quality and efficiency of international military cooperation and achieve　high-quality development.

First, military diplomacy served　the overall political and diplomatic objectives　of China. Under the strategic　guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, leaders of the Central Military Commission　(CMC) had strategic communication with defense and military leaders　of Russia, the United States,　Vietnam, 　Cambodia,　Pakistan, 　South Africa, etc., and deepened bilateral strategic cooperation. The Chinese military enhanced consultation and dialogue and expanded practical　cooperation　with relevant militaries to put into practice the achievements of head-of-state diplomacy.

Second, military diplomacy　resolutely safeguarded　national sovereignty, security and development　interests. In response to the negative and wrong rhetoric and infringements and provocations　made by　certain　countries on　the Taiwan　question and the South China Sea　issue, while taking actions to protect our rights in accordance with laws and regulations, the Chinese military also made diplomatic　representations, and timely refuted, warned and exposed the wrongdoings and negative moves of relevant countries, and made clear China’s positions through MND spokesperson and the media.

Thirdly, we have expanded foreign-related military operations. The PLA　organized and conducted 34　joint training, exercises　and international military games including　the China-Russia “Beibu Unity-2023”　joint exercise, the “Aman youyi-2023”　joint exercise with southeast Asian countries, the China-Cambodia “Golden Dragon 2023” joint exercise, the China-Laos　“Friendship Shield-2023” joint exercise. Through expanded bilateral and multilateral　exercises and training, the PLA has deepened　mutual trust and cooperation with the militaries of relevant countries, and played a positive role in maintaining regional　stability.

Fourthly, we have made　innovative　efforts　in multilateral diplomacy. The tenth Beijing　Xiangshan Forum and the third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum hosted by China were widely attended and welcomed. We attended mu ltilateral events including the Shangri-La　dialogue, the　Defense　Ministers’　Meeting　of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and actively introduced major initiatives　such as the Global Security Initiative　and promoted international consensus for peace and cooperation.

Fifthly, we have contributed to　building　a community with a shared future for mankind. The PLAN Ark Peace 　hospital　ship　visited Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and　Timor-Leste. The　Chinese military medical expert teams continued to work in Zambia, Cambodia and Laos, and provided medical service to the local people. PLA Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft carried out humanitarian relief missions to Afghanistan and Nep al.　PLA Navy vessels rushed to Sudan to evacuate Chinese nationals. The Chinese military also actively participated　in UN peacekeeping　and　vessel prote ction operations, consistently providing public security goods to the international community.

Embracing the world for peace, the Chinese military will always follow the guidance of　Xi Jinping　Thought　on　Socialism　with　Chinese　Characteristics　for a New Era, and stay committed　to expanding　and deepening　relations with foreign militaries,　strengthening　practical exchanges and cooperation, and　making　due contributions to world peace and common development.