Transcript of the Ministry of National Defense Regular Press Conference, June 2026
Transcript of the Ministry of National Defense Regular Press Conference, June 2026
Time: 15:00–16:18, June 25, 2026
Location: Office for International Military Cooperation, Central Military Commission
Spokesperson: Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, MND Spokesperson, answered questions from reporters. Photo by Sun Zhiying.
Zhang Xiaogang: Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome to the Ministry of National Defense regular press conference.
I will first release three items of information.
First item. From June 25 to July 1, the Ministry of National Defense of China is hosting the Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization Young and Middle-Aged Military Officers Exchange Activity, inviting young and middle-aged military officers and defense officials from SCO member states, observer states, dialogue partners, and relevant countries, as well as representatives of the SCO Secretariat, to participate. This activity is hosted by the National University of Defense Technology, with the theme "SCO Youth Together, Jointly Building a Secure Future." It includes thematic lectures, seminars and exchanges, and visits, and aims to deepen the foundations of friendship, build consensus on cooperation, and actively promote high-quality development of SCO defense and security cooperation that is more united, more collaborative, more dynamic, and more capable.
Second item. In late June, at the invitation of the Government of Seychelles, the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan of the PLA Navy's 48th Escort Task Force will visit Seychelles and will detail a contingent to participate in the parade marking the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' independence. This is the first time the Chinese side has participated in a Seychelles parade. It will help further deepen China-Seychelles strategic mutual trust and traditional friendship, and serve the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future (中非命运共同体) for the new era.
Third item. From July 8 to 10, the Fourth China-ASEAN Defense Think Tank Exchange Activity will be held in Kunming. Participating experts and scholars will engage in in-depth discussions and build consensus around the theme "Practicing the Asian Security Model: China and ASEAN Working Together to Address Global Changes," contributing wisdom and strength to the joint building of five homes (五大家园) of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship.
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, MND Spokesperson, answered questions from reporters. Photo by Sun Zhiying.
Reporter: This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. We have noted that military personnel from many countries hold this period of history in great respect and curiosity, and the series of short videos "Foreign Military Officers Encounter the Long March" has gone viral across the internet. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The Long March is utterly unique in Chinese history, and extremely rare in the history of world warfare and even in the history of human civilization. Reports and research on the Red Army's Long March have emerged in an endless stream worldwide, and people who come from afar to trace the Long March route are a constant flow. A growing number of people in the international community believe that the Red Army's Long March was one of the most important events of the 20th century capable of influencing the future of the world—a human epic filled with idealism and dedication, written with will and courage. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. More than one hundred foreign military officers from over 80 countries, studying at the International Defense College of the National Defense University, traveled to Ruijin, Zunyi, and Yan'an to follow in the footsteps of the Red Army. Along the way they visited sites, listened to red stories, learned about the bloodline heritage of the Chinese military, and immersively experienced the great Long March spirit (长征精神), deepening their understanding and identification through dialogue and resonance. I also invite everyone to continue following this series of reports.
Reporter: Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te recently stated that, regarding the substantial cuts to the defense special budget by Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan," he will not give up on increasing defense spending and will separately propose a special ordinance or support the Taiwan military through supplementary budgets and other means. The Taiwan administrative authority subsequently passed a draft "Special Ordinance for Defense-Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle Procurement," with a funding ceiling of NT$210 billion, and stated that Taiwan urgently needs a "non-red supply chain" linked to the global network to ensure defense autonomy. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The Democratic Progressive Party authorities are squandering the hard-earned money of the people of Taiwan with ever-greater recklessness, pouring it into the bottomless pit of meaningless arms purchases, and accelerating the push of Taiwan into the dangerous abyss of war. We solemnly warn the DPP authorities: the trend toward reunification is unstoppable, and "seeking independence through force" (以武谋独) will inevitably lead to self-destruction.
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, MND Spokesperson, answered questions from reporters. Photo by Sun Yue.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, according to reports, the 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theater Command conducted its first live-fire assessment of a new air defense missile system, with equipment nameplates bearing the marking "HQ-16F." This reportedly marks the PLA's acquisition of full-domain, full-range interception capability from ultra-low altitude to near-ground space. What is your comment on this? Second, according to reports, the United States and Japan recently held multiple joint exercises including "Resolute Dragon" and "Valiant Shield," and the Typhon mid-range missile system was again deployed to Japan. The Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff stated that the U.S. side has made clear that the equipment deployed on this occasion is for exercise purposes only, is not a permanent deployment, and will be removed after the exercise concludes in September. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Let me answer your first question first. China's military is accelerating the development of advanced weapons and equipment and solidly advancing combat readiness training. This is entirely for the purpose of enhancing the strategic capability to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and the Chinese military has always been a resolute force for safeguarding world peace.
Now to your second question. The Typhon mid-range missile system is an offensive weapon. The United States' deployment of this system in Asian countries damages the legitimate security interests of other countries, threatens regional strategic security, and exacerbates the risks of arms races and military confrontation. In particular, at a time when "new-type militarism" (新型军国主义) in Japan has taken shape and become a serious problem, any action that fans the arrogance of Japanese right-wing forces is entirely harmful and not at all beneficial to regional peace and stability, and will bring trouble upon oneself as well. The United States and Japan should genuinely respect the security concerns of regional countries, must not introduce the Typhon mid-range missile system, and should play a positive role for regional peace and stability through concrete actions.
Reporter: Is China prepared to provide military and weapons assistance to Iraq and the Kurdish region? What is the level of China-Iraq security cooperation?
Zhang Xiaogang: The militaries of China and Iraq enjoy a friendly relationship, and the two sides maintain exchanges and cooperation, playing a constructive role in regional and world peace and stability.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, CCTV recently aired for the first time footage of a live launch of the Rocket Force's Dongfeng-17 hypersonic missile. Reports indicate that the U.S. military was shocked by this, because the DF-17's launch vehicle is capable of stopping on a road at night and conducting an unsupported launch (无依托发射) directly. Some analysts have also pointed out that the timing of the footage's release—just after the conclusion of the G7 Summit and just before the start of RIMPAC—signals that the PLA has the capability to conduct long-range precision strikes. What is your comment on this? Second, Japanese media report that the Japanese Army may have repeatedly conducted "heterologous blood transfusion" (异种输血) experiments—injecting animal blood into human subjects—during the war of aggression against China in World War II. Records of these experiments were found in the internal journal of the official Japanese military organization "Army Medical Corps." It is presumed that these experiments may have been conducted in China. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Let me answer your first question first. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of China's strategic missile force. Sixty years of tempering the sword and strengthening the military; a new starting point, pressing forward. The Rocket Force organized relevant reporting to reflect the state of its development and the spirit of the times as it strides forward on a new journey. I have no further supplementary information, and I would also ask that people not over-associate or over-interpret this.
Now to your second question. We have also noted the relevant reports. The Japanese military's large-scale conduct of inhumane live human experiments and bacteriological warfare during its invasion of China constitutes monstrous crimes that defy heaven and reason. An ever-growing body of evidence is exposing the war crimes of Japanese militarism, and an ever-growing number of people are coming to understand this dark and brutal history. If Japan were to return to the evil path of militarism, the Chinese people will not accept it, the international community will not permit it, and it can only end in failure, subject to thorough judgment of justice and historical reckoning.
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, MND Spokesperson, answered questions from reporters. Photo by Sun Yue.
Reporter: According to reports, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released a draft "FY2027 Defense Appropriations Act," which includes $2 billion for providing weapons, equipment, and services to Taiwan. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Regarding this draft, what I want to say is: force cannot buy peace, and militarism only mortgages the future. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and brooks no outside interference whatsoever. "Using Taiwan to contain China" (以台制华) is destined to fail, and "using arms to assist independence" (以武助独) will only escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait, ultimately playing with fire and reaping what one sows. We demand that the U.S. side abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, earnestly implement the important consensus reached at the China-U.S. summit meeting, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and take concrete actions to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Reporter: As the Taiwan military launched a five-day "Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise" on the 22nd, Taiwan's "Ministry of National Defense" stated on the evening of the 23rd that the PLA aircraft carrier Fujian transited the Taiwan Strait that day, and again released aerial footage, claiming that the Taiwan military used joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means to closely monitor the situation. Taiwan's "Defense Minister" Wellington Koo stated that the situation was fully under control and that important developments would be announced in a timely manner. Can you confirm that the Fujian transited the Taiwan Strait, and provide information on its heading and the mission of this operation?
Zhang Xiaogang: Taiwan is part of China—what "Minister of National Defense" is there to speak of? This was routine training conducted by the Fujian, and we will continue to organize such activities in the future.
Reporter: According to reports, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party recently passed a draft proposal to revise the "Three Security Documents," emphasizing the need to ensure the credibility of the "extended deterrence" provided by the United States with nuclear weapons at its core, and proposing the development of submarines capable of carrying long-range missiles and using next-generation propulsion. The United States and Japan also held an "extended deterrence" dialogue, stating they would further strengthen cooperation. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: "Extended deterrence" is a product of the Cold War. Certain countries, for geopolitical purposes, are strengthening nuclear deterrence cooperation, which has exacerbated the risks of nuclear proliferation and nuclear conflict. Japan's ambition to acquire nuclear weapons has a long history. Right-wing forces are accelerating their push to revise the "three non-nuclear principles," stockpiling plutonium far in excess of civilian needs—the total amount of separated plutonium managed domestically and abroad amounts to approximately 44.4 tons, sufficient to manufacture a large number of nuclear warheads in a short period of time. Japan's ruling authorities, on the one hand, present themselves internationally as victims of nuclear bombing and deceive the world by posing as supporters of a nuclear-free world; on the other hand, they continuously strengthen "extended deterrence" cooperation with their ally, and are eager to replicate a "nuclear sharing" arrangement and bring allied nuclear weapons into Japan. Japan's nuclear ambitions are already a real, not merely potential, threat. We urge Japan to earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and not to seek nuclear weapons in any form; and we advise the United States to abandon Cold War thinking, stop adopting provocative policies and actions, and avoid undermining regional peace and security and global strategic stability.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 16th that U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would revert to its original name of Pacific Command, while its area of responsibility remains unchanged. Some analysts believe that the renaming signals a strategic focus "more explicitly on China." What is your comment on this? Second, the Australian think tank Lowy Institute recently released a report stating that China is expanding its hypersonic weapons arsenal and has enhanced its strike capability against Australia. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Let me answer your first question first. Renaming is the U.S. military's own business. What needs to be emphasized is that the Asia-Pacific is a high ground for peace and development, not a chessboard for geopolitical maneuvering. Peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit are the common aspirations of the peoples of the region. We hope the U.S. side will do more things that are truly conducive to building mutual trust and promoting regional peace and stability.
Now to your second question. China has always pursued a defensive national defense policy. The development of military strength is for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests; it is not directed at any country, nor does it pose a threat to any country. The growth of China's military strength has always been a growth in the forces of world peace. We advise the relevant parties not to distort the facts, add drama of their own making, and mislead public opinion by hyping the so-called "China military threat."
Reporter: According to reports, Lai Ching-te has stated that promoting the drone industry is a major policy for Taiwan, that drones can create a "hellish scene" and have a tremendous deterrent effect. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Lai Ching-te always wants to push the people of Taiwan into a pit of fire, recklessly pursuing "independence" and provoking conflict, and stirring up confrontation and antagonism across the Taiwan Strait. Peace or war, the warmth of everyday life or a "hellish scene"—the people of Taiwan have their own choice to make. We hope that Taiwan compatriots will see clearly the evil face of Lai Ching-te as a "warmonger" and "destroyer of peace," uphold righteousness, follow the trend of the times, and join us in opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism and safeguarding the common home of the Chinese nation.
Reporter: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kallas stated that earlier this month the EU confirmed that the Chinese military had assisted in training Russian soldiers heading to the battlefield in Ukraine. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The relevant claim is pure slander and defamation. China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. China-Russia cooperation is neither directed at third parties nor influenced by third-party factors.
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, MND Spokesperson, answered questions from reporters. Photo by Li Xiaowei.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, according to reports, after China refuted Japan's hype about Chinese defense spending in March of this year, Japan's Defense Minister recently again publicly questioned the transparency of China's defense budget, while claiming that "Japan will invest in new combat means such as drones and artificial intelligence in a transparent manner to adapt to the changing nature of conflict." What is your comment on this? Second, according to reports, Taiwan's security authorities recently opened a website to lure mainland personnel into providing intelligence. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Let me answer your first question first. China's defense expenditure is open and transparent. Every year, in accordance with the law, information is publicly released on the total amount of the defense spending budget and its scale, structure, and uses. China actively participates in the United Nations military expenditure transparency mechanism and has submitted a report on military expenditures for the previous fiscal year to the United Nations every year since 2008. China's defense spending has consistently adhered to the principles of being reasonable, moderate, and restrained, with its share of GDP remaining below 1.5% over the long term. By contrast, Japan, as a country defeated in World War II, has seen its defense budget grow rapidly for 14 consecutive years, with defense spending as a share of GDP soaring to 2% and plans to raise it further to 3.5%; Japan's per capita defense spending is more than three times that of China. The pure are pure, and the impure are impure. Japan uses "conspiracy theories" to smear China's defense expenditure, vainly attempting to divert attention, mislead public opinion, and conceal its ambitions and actions toward "remilitarization." What truly needs to be explained clearly to the world is Japan: "new-type militarism" (新型军国主义) has taken shape and become a serious problem—what does Japan intend to do?
Now to your second question. The Taiwan Affairs Office has already responded to this. I will add one more line for the DPP authorities: "The schemer, too clever by half, ends up paying with his own life."
Reporter: According to reports, the Philippines has recently continued to hype up the activities of a Chinese scientific research platform in waters related to Huangyan Island, speculating that China will carry out infrastructure construction, and claiming that the Philippines' main frigate had a standoff with Chinese naval and air forces in waters near Huangyan Island. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory, and any activities conducted by the Chinese side at Huangyan Island, including scientific research, are the legitimate rights of a sovereign state. We demand that the Philippine side immediately cease its infringement and provocation and its inflammatory hype, otherwise it will only end up lifting a rock only to drop it on its own feet. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute measures to firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Reporter: According to reports, Taiwan's defense authorities stated that mainland military aircraft entered the airspace to the southwest of Taiwan and conducted "long-range oceanic flights" (远海长航) in the Western Pacific, and publicly released high-definition imagery of a PLA WZ-10 unmanned aerial vehicle flying around Taiwan, claiming to have "closely monitored and appropriately responded." What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The "Taiwan independence" armed forces are whistling to keep their courage up—it is pure self-deception. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the PLA's conduct of exercises and training activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Island is reasonable, lawful, and aboveboard.
Reporter: The United States and Japan are conducting the large-scale "Valiant Shield" military exercise, and the Taiwan military is simultaneously holding a combat readiness exercise, with the timing of the two exercises highly overlapping and the targeting of the Taiwan Strait very evident. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: The DPP authorities are deliberately manufacturing tension and escalating cross-strait confrontation and antagonism, which is deeply unpopular. Bolstering one's courage through military exercises cannot bring genuine security. Whoever treats confrontation as the norm and places the people's welfare behind political self-interest will ultimately pay the corresponding price. The PLA maintains a high state of alert at all times and will resolutely thwart any reckless act of "Taiwan independence."
Reporter: I have two questions. First, according to reports, the city of Nagasaki plans to complete an update of the display panels at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum within fiscal year 2026. The text of the display panel concerning the Nanjing Massacre is planned to no longer use the term "massacre," replacing it with "the Nanjing Incident in which large numbers of civilians and prisoners were killed." Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors and civic groups have expressed strong protest against this. What is your comment on this? Second, during the PLA Navy Liaoning carrier strike group's long-range realistic combat training in the South China Sea and Western Pacific airspace and waters, it was repeatedly subjected to malicious close approaches and harassment by Japanese vessels and aircraft. Some analysts have characterized this as a provocative act by Japan deliberately hyping the "China threat." What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Let me answer your first question first. The Nanjing Massacre is a barbarous crime committed by Japanese militarism; the ironclad evidence is incontrovertible and cannot be falsified. The Tokyo Trials explicitly determined that the atrocities committed by the Japanese military in Nanjing constituted a "massacre" and not a so-called "incident." The Judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East contains a dedicated chapter on this, establishing in the form of an international judicial ruling the monstrous crimes of the Japanese military in Nanjing; the ringleader of the Nanjing Massacre, Matsui Iwane, was executed by hanging as an A-Class war criminal.
As a country defeated in World War II, Japan to this day continues to deny, distort, and even glorify its history of aggression. Japanese right-wing forces' worship at Yasukuni Shrine, revision of history textbooks, and denial of the Nanjing Massacre and the forced recruitment of "comfort women" and other evil historical facts constitute a challenge to the postwar international order, a challenge to human conscience, and a challenge to the peoples of all the victorious nations. We urge Japan to face up to the voices of justice and reason, make a clean break with militarism, and offer a sincere apology and expression of remorse—only then can it truly earn the respect of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
Now to your second question. We released information on the Liaoning carrier strike group's long-range realistic combat training and published on-site video footage of responses to close approaches and harassment by Japanese vessels and aircraft. Who is the threat, and who is the provocateur? It is perfectly clear. We urge Japan to stop the dangerous conduct of interfering with China's normal exercise and training activities.
On the afternoon of June 25, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, with reporters asking questions on site. Photo by Sun Yue.
Reporter: Data show that Japan's orders for weapons and equipment such as surface-to-air missiles and aircraft have grown significantly in recent years. This clearly indicates that Japan's military-industrial complex has been reactivated. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: Japan's military-industrial complex was once deeply embedded in the Japanese economy, held national decision-making hostage, supported the operation of the war machine, and was an important behind-the-scenes driver and economic foundation for Japan's full march down the path of militarist aggression and expansion. It was precisely for this reason that the postwar international community, through documents with the force of international law such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, explicitly stipulated that Japan should be completely disarmed and must not maintain industries that would enable it to rearm.
History's lessons are not far off. The reactivation and rapid rise of Japan's military-industrial complex will drive Japan to race headlong down the road of "remilitarization," and will ultimately push the Japanese people once again into the abyss of disaster. Peace-loving people should fully recognize the aggressive nature of Japan's military-industrial capital—its expansion for profit and its incitement of war—resolutely check the reckless actions of Japan's "new-type militarism," and firmly safeguard regional peace and stability.
Reporter: Japan and the Philippines have launched exclusive economic zone delimitation negotiations, and China has carried out law enforcement operations in the waters east of Taiwan Island. The U.S., UK, French, and German representative offices in Taiwan have expressed the view that China's actions threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation, and international shipping safety, and escalate tensions. What is your comment on this? Will future related operations give greater consideration to calls from the international community?
Zhang Xiaogang: The maritime area that Japan and the Philippines have announced their intention to delimit is located to the east of China's Taiwan Island, in waters where China holds an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Japan and the Philippines have unilaterally launched so-called maritime delimitation negotiations by going around the Chinese side, which seriously violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the basic norms of international relations, and seriously infringes upon China's maritime rights and interests. Our lawful conduct of law enforcement patrols in the relevant waters is legitimate and necessary, and is a righteous act to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The standard for judging right and wrong is not who shouts the loudest. In this matter, it is Japan and the Philippines that are committing infringement and provocation; ganging up to pressure China will not work.
Reporter: Lai Ching-te, in a meeting with foreign media, stated that Taiwan's "rejection of one country, two systems and rule by the Chinese Communist Party" should not be interpreted as provocation, and called on the mainland to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: "Peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" is our basic policy for resolving the Taiwan question and the best way to achieve the reunification of the motherland; it is most beneficial to compatriots on both sides of the Strait and to the Chinese nation. At present, the Lai Ching-te authorities stubbornly adhere to the "Taiwan independence" position and continuously pursue "independence" and engage in provocation—this is the root cause of the threat to Taiwan's security. We will absolutely never (决不) allow "Taiwan independence" separatist forces to split Taiwan from China in any name or by any means. Any forces and acts that split the motherland will inevitably be met head-on and dealt a crushing blow by the entire Chinese people.