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.

Cctv newsOfficial website, the State Railway Administration, reported on November 6 that Shenyang Railway Supervision Administration issued the Announcement on the Investigation and Handling of the "10.15" Railway Traffic Accident of the North-Black Railway in Heilongjiang Province. The details are as follows.

At 3: 44 on October 15th, a passenger train derailed on the North Black Railway in Sunwu County, Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province. After the accident, Shenyang Railway Supervision Administration, under the guidance of the State Railway Administration, organized the Emergency Management Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Railway Safety Supervision and Management Office, railway police Branch of Heihe Public Security Bureau and other relevant units to set up an accident investigation team to carry out accident investigation and handling, and invited the Supervision Committee of Heihe Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection to participate in the investigation.

According to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Railway Law, Regulations on Railway Safety Management, Regulations on Emergency Rescue and Investigation and Handling of Railway Traffic Accidents, Rules on Investigation and Handling of Railway Traffic Accidents and other regulations, the accident investigation team found out the course and comprehensive analysis of the accident through on-the-spot investigation, investigation and evidence collection, video analysis, inspection and testing, technical appraisal and comprehensive analysis, in accordance with the principles of scientific rigor, compliance with laws and regulations, seeking truth from facts, and paying attention to practical results. In accordance with the relevant regulations, the accident is hereby announced as follows:

I. Basic information of the accident

1. Overview of the accident

At 3: 44 on October 15th, 2023, the K5133 passenger train from Harbin East to Heihe (locomotive DF4D 4423 of Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. of Heilongjiang Province was the traction, with 14 trains grouped, with a total weight of 773 tons and a total length of 33.3) running at a speed of 71km/h to a distance of 211km 569m between Sunwubei and Chaoshui Station on the northern black line, and

2. Emergency rescue and disposal of accidents

After the accident, the State Railway Administration, the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government attached great importance to it, and the main leading comrades made work arrangements and instructions respectively. The State Railway Administration and Shenyang Railway Supervision Administration immediately launched a three-level emergency response, organized personnel to rush to the scene to coordinate and guide the emergency rescue of accidents, and organized the investigation and handling of accidents.

Heihe Municipal People’s Government organized accident rescue in time, and evacuated and properly resettled passengers. Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. immediately blocked the line, evacuated the passengers on board, moved the derailed vehicles out of the railway gauge, and repaired the damaged railway line. China Railway Harbin Bureau Group Co., Ltd. actively cooperates with accident emergency rescue and passenger placement. After rescue, the line was opened at 13: 45 on the same day.

After the accident, the local people’s government and relevant units started the emergency plan in time, the rescue organization was in place, and appropriate measures were taken.

Second, casualties and direct economic losses caused by the accident

There were no casualties in the accident, and the direct economic loss totaled 717,900 yuan.

Third, the cause of the accident

China Railway 23rd Bureau Group No.2 Engineering Co., Ltd. violated the provisions of Article 57 of the Safety Production Law, and did not strictly implement the operation standards, safety production rules and regulations and operating procedures of its own unit in the parking and anti-slip operations of engineering vehicles, and the number of engineering vehicles that illegally failed the braking system exceeded 6‰ There is no power to stay on the slope line, no one is sent to be on duty, no pressure protection is implemented when stopping, no iron shoes are set as required, and no human braking mechanism is adopted; The construction safety management of the business lines of Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. and Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang Province is out of control, and the illegal acts of the construction units are not stopped or corrected; Shanxi Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. did not carry out supervision and inspection on the construction site in accordance with laws and regulations, mandatory standards and entrusted supervision contracts, resulting in the escape of engineering vehicles and the collision of passenger trains.

Fourth, the accident qualitative responsibility

According to Article 11 of the Regulations on Emergency Rescue, Investigation and Handling of Railway Traffic Accidents and Article 10 of the Rules on Investigation and Handling of Railway Traffic Accidents, the accident is a major accident responsible for railway traffic.

According to the provisions of Articles 51, 54 and 62 of the Rules for the Investigation and Handling of Railway Traffic Accidents, the Second Engineering Co., Ltd. of China Railway 23rd Bureau Group is determined to bear the main responsibility for the accident; Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. are responsible for the accident; Shanxi Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. was assigned the secondary responsibility for the accident.

China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd. neglected the management of the upgrading and reconstruction project of the North-Black Railway, failed to find the potential safety hazards in the construction in time, and failed to supervise the rectification. Investigate the management responsibility of China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd..

Heihe City Transportation Bureau failed to supervise and manage the construction safety, Heihe City Traffic Engineering Affairs Center failed to focus on the supervision and inspection of the construction safety of the project, and the problems were not tracked and rectified in time. Investigate the responsibility of supervision and management of Heihe Municipal Transportation Bureau and Heihe Traffic Engineering Affairs Center.

V. Handling suggestions

(1) Suggestions on handling the persons responsible for the accident

1. Relevant responsible personnel of the Second Engineering Co., Ltd. of China Railway 23rd Bureau Group and the BHSG-3 Bid Project Management Department of Beihei Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Project.

(1) It is suggested that the executive director be punished for gross administrative demerit and removed from office.

(2) It is suggested that the general manager be punished for administrative demerits and removed from office.

(3) It is recommended to dismiss the safety director.

(4) It is suggested to give the Minister of Safety Supervision an administrative demerit.

(5) It is suggested to give the Minister of Materials and Equipment an administrative demerit.

(6) It is suggested to give the manager of the project department administrative dismissal.

(7) It is suggested that the executive deputy manager of the project department be given administrative dismissal.

(8) It is suggested that the safety director of the project department be given a disciplinary action of giving a big administrative record.

(9) It is suggested that the technical director of the project department be given a disciplinary action of administrative demerit.

(10) It is suggested to give administrative demerit to the director of safety supervision department of the project department.

(11) It is suggested to give administrative demerit to the director of materials and equipment department of the project department.

(12) It is suggested that the on-site director of the track team of the project department be dismissed.

(13) It is suggested to give the engineer on October 14th the dismissal.

(14) It is suggested that three rail car drivers of the construction vehicle on October 14th be dismissed.

2. China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

(1) It is recommended to give administrative warning to the party secretary and chairman.

(2) It is suggested to give the general manager an administrative warning.

(3) It is suggested to give the deputy general manager in charge an administrative demerit.

3. Heihe Railway Upgrade Construction Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd.

(1) It is suggested that the general manager of Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. and the person in charge (presiding) of Heihe Railway Upgrading and Reconstruction Co., Ltd. be given an administrative demerit.

(2) It is suggested that the assistant general manager of Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. and the deputy general manager in charge of Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Co., Ltd. be given a heavier administrative record.

(3) It is suggested that the deputy general manager in charge of Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang Province be given a heavier administrative record.

(4) It is suggested that the deputy chief engineer of Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. be given administrative demerit.

(5) It is suggested that the deputy safety director of Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. be given administrative demerit.

(6) It is suggested that the Minister of Safety and Quality Department of Heihe Railway Upgrade Construction Co., Ltd. be given an administrative warning.

(7) It is suggested that the Minister of Industry and Management Department of Heihe Railway Upgrade and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. be given an administrative warning.

(8) It is suggested to give administrative warning to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Management Department of Heihe Railway Upgrading and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd.

(9) It is suggested that the director of the safety supervision office of Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang Province be given an administrative warning.

(10) It is suggested that the deputy director of the Transportation Department of Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang Province be given an administrative demerit.

(11) It is suggested that the engineer in the chief engineer’s office of Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang Province be given an administrative demerit.

(12) It is suggested to give the Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. a demerit in safety supervision administration.

4. Shanxi Construction Supervision Co., Ltd.

(1) It is suggested that the project director be demoted.

(2) It is suggested that the leader of the supervision team be demoted.

5. Relevant departments of Heihe Municipal People’s Government

(1) It is suggested that the person in charge of Heihe Traffic Engineering Affairs Center be given an administrative warning.

(2) It is suggested to admonish the person in charge of Heihe Municipal Transportation Bureau.

(3) It is suggested that the director of Heihe Municipal Transportation Bureau make a written inspection to Heihe Municipal People’s Government.

(4) It is suggested that the director of Heihe Development and Reform Commission, the former chairman of Heihe Railway Upgrading and Reconstruction Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. make a written inspection to Heihe Municipal People’s Government.

(2) Suggestions on handling the unit responsible for the accident.

The Shenyang Railway Supervision Administration will impose administrative penalties on the relevant units and responsible personnel who are responsible for the accident according to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Law on Work Safety, the Administrative Punishment Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Regulations on Railway Safety Management and the Regulations on Work Safety Management of Construction Projects.

VI. Suggestions on accident prevention and rectification measures

(1) Firmly establish the concept of safe development and earnestly implement the safety responsibilities of all parties.

Thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the important instructions of the Supreme Leader General Secretary on safety production, further improve the political position, strengthen the bottom line thinking and red line consciousness, adhere to the "people first, life first", firmly establish the concept of safe development, and resolutely put safety production in the first place in railway transportation and engineering construction. Strictly implement the responsibilities of all parties, strictly implement the provisions on safety management of railway transportation and engineering construction, pay close attention to the implementation of measures, effectively improve the level of safety management, and effectively prevent and contain all kinds of railway traffic accidents.

(2) Deeply draw lessons from the accident and strictly grasp the problem rectification.

China Railway 23rd Bureau Group No.2 Engineering Co., Ltd. should comprehensively investigate the hidden dangers of construction safety, strengthen on-site operation control, test the technical status of construction machinery vehicles, and ensure the implementation of anti-skid measures for vehicles.

Heihe Railway Upgrading and Reconstruction Construction Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Heihe Railway (Group) Co., Ltd. should improve the responsibility system for production safety, strengthen the implementation of the main responsibility for production safety of enterprises, strengthen the management of construction safety, organize a comprehensive study on the safety risks of engineering construction and business line construction, and put forward practical and effective control measures to ensure the safety of passenger trains.

Shanxi Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. should strictly perform its supervision duties, and strengthen the inspection and on-site supervision of key parts and areas on the construction site.

(3) Effectively implement the responsibility of territorial railway management and strengthen the safety management of local railways.

Heihe Municipal People’s Government and relevant departments should deeply understand the grim situation faced by local railway safety production, further improve the responsibility system for safety production, fully equip with strong professionals or entrust qualified relevant institutions, further strengthen supervision and management, effectively supervise relevant enterprises to implement the main responsibility for safety production, and fully safeguard the stability of local railway safety production situation.