Ministry of National Defense Routine Press Briefing, Early August 2026
On the afternoon of August 7, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi released information on recent military-related issues.
Chen Xi: First, I have an announcement to make.
In mid-to-late August, the armed forces of China and Belarus will hold the "Eagle of Heaven-2026" (神鹰-2026) airborne joint training exercise in Hubei Province. This joint training exercise takes joint urban counterterrorism operations as its subject, and will primarily conduct drills in reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance, seizure and control versus defense, and clearance operations versus consolidation of positions. This is the fourth time the two sides have held this series of joint training exercises, and it will help further enhance the combat effectiveness of the participating forces and deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries.
[Photo caption: On the afternoon of August 7, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi released information on recent military-related issues. Photo by Wu Yanzhou.]
Reporter: It has been reported that the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee recently held its 27th group study session on high-quality advancement of national defense and military modernization, at which Chairman Xi delivered an important speech. How will the military study and implement the spirit of Chairman Xi's important speech?
Chen Xi: Chairman Xi's important speech, from the height of the era's development and the strategic overall situation, profoundly expounded on the great significance of high-quality advancement of national defense and military modernization, comprehensively summarized the great achievements in national defense and military modernization construction since the new era, and scientifically answered a series of major questions of a directional, fundamental, and overarching nature regarding the high-quality advancement of national defense and military modernization. It further inspired and motivated all officers and soldiers of the entire military to adopt a striving posture and a new outlook, to drive decisive progress toward the basic realization of national defense and military modernization, and to accelerate the building of the people's military into a world-class military.
National defense and military modernization is a modernization that provides strategic support for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; it is a modernization characterized by the integrated development of mechanization, informatization, and intelligentization (机械化信息化智能化融合发展); and it is a modernization that permanently preserves the nature and purpose of the people's military. On the new journey, the entire military will consistently uphold the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想), uphold and strengthen the Party's absolute leadership over the military, and fully implement the new-era strategy of building the military through political work (新时代政治建军方略); accelerate the effective supply of advanced combat capabilities and progressively build an intelligentized military system (智能化军事体系); strengthen the integrated development of combat capability systems and solidly advance combat training and war preparedness; strengthen military governance, mobilize the forces of all military and civilian parties, and unite efforts to advance national defense and military modernization on a steady and far-reaching course, so as to provide strong strategic support for comprehensively advancing the building of a great nation and the cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.
Reporter: It has been reported that Researcher Wang Ji of the School of Computer Science at the National University of Defense Technology was awarded the title of "Role Model of the Era" (时代楷模) by the Central Propaganda Department, drawing widespread public attention and enthusiastic praise across the internet. Please provide details on this matter.
Chen Xi: Researcher Wang Ji is a principal pioneer in China's field of high-assurance software (高可信软件). He has been rooted at the front lines of military education and scientific research for more than thirty years, consistently upholding the founding mission of cultivating virtue and nurturing talent, and training personnel for war. He has faithfully fulfilled the mission of letting warfighting lead research and conducting scientific research in service of war. In the face of severe illness—including high-level amputation and renal failure—he has nonetheless maintained his post and devoted himself selflessly with tenacious will and an optimistic spirit, unwaveringly pressing forward to conquer the high ground of independent innovation in national defense science and technology, and making important contributions to the security and reliability of key software for major national assets (大国重器). Countless netizens have been moved and inspired by this "truly admirable" (挺好的) professor, praising him as one who "stands tall as a halberd for the nation, with a heart of pure loyalty and the aspiration to strengthen the military" (身如长戟，为国而立；胸怀赤诚，志在强军).
Life presses forward, the charge never stops. Wang Ji's smile and steadfast commitment are a microcosm of all national defense science and technology workers who dedicate themselves in silence and forge a shield for the nation. We extend our highest respect and sincere wishes to these role models who have devoted themselves to the Party and the nation. Officers and soldiers throughout the military will take them as examples, keep their founding mission firmly in mind, strive with united effort to strengthen the military, and greet the centenary of the founding of the army with a new political outlook.
[Photo caption: On the afternoon of August 7, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi released information on recent military-related issues. Photo by Sun Zhiying.]
Reporter: It has been reported that after the Philippines deposited with the United Nations so-called "official nautical charts of Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters," the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized maritime and air joint training exercises in the territorial waters, territorial airspace, and surrounding maritime and airspace of Huangyan Island, and the China Coast Guard also organized rights-protection law enforcement and control exercises in waters near Huangyan Island. The spokesperson of the Philippines' National Maritime Council stated that any exercises conducted by the Chinese side in that area are regarded by the Philippine side as "illegal acts." What is your comment on this?
Chen Xi: Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory. China continuously, peacefully, and effectively exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island, and is the only country with the right under international law to declare the baseline of the territorial sea of Huangyan Island. The Philippine side's relevant actions gravely infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty, gravely violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, and are illegal and invalid. China's organization of training and exercise activities is a stern warning against the Philippine side's sovereignty-infringing and provocative actions, and is a necessary measure to defend the sovereignty and rights and interests of Huangyan Island. It is entirely justified and lawful.
It must be pointed out that from its independence in 1946 to the present, the Philippines has on multiple occasions, under the banner of international law and through domestic legislation, expanded its territorial and jurisdictional maritime claims, which has already aroused widespread vigilance, resentment, and resolute opposition from countries surrounding the South China Sea. We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its illegal actions infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to cease maritime provocations and the fanning of inflammatory publicity and hype. Against any scheme to stir up trouble at sea and manufacture incidents, the Chinese military will resolutely and forcefully counter it.
[Photo caption: On the afternoon of August 7, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi released information on recent military-related issues. Photo by Sun Zhiying.]
Reporter: It has been reported that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force recently conducted a live-fire test of the Tomahawk cruise missile, and Japan's Minister of Defense stated that in the face of the most severe and complex security environment since the postwar period, long-range missiles will become one of Japan's means of counterattack. In addition, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also conducted a captive-carry test of a new type of missile. What is your comment on this?
Chen Xi: Japan's moves to accelerate the development of offensive weapons are becoming increasingly rampant and are extremely dangerous, warranting a high degree of vigilance from countries in the region. Facts have already proven that Japan's so-called "surrounding security threats" are nothing but a pretext for breaking through the constraints of the pacifist constitution and the "exclusively defense-oriented" (専守防衛) policy and accelerating the promotion of "remilitarization." What truly threatens Japan's security and regional peace and stability is precisely the reckless drive within Japan to seek military expansion and armament buildup and to accelerate "remilitarization." The nightmare must not be allowed to repeat itself, and peace must be safeguarded. The international community must unite and act together to jointly check Japan's "new-type militarism" (新型军国主义) from gaining momentum and becoming a menace that brings chaos to the world.