Verbatim Transcript of the Ministry of National Defense Regular Press Conference, May 2026
Verbatim Transcript of the Ministry of National Defense Regular Press Conference, May 2026
Time: 15:00–16:05, May 28, 2026
Location: Office for International Military Cooperation, Central Military Commission
Spokesperson: Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which MND Spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin answered questions from reporters. Photo by Zhang Zhicheng.
Jiang Bin: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Ministry of National Defense regular press conference. I have no information to proactively release. Please go ahead with your questions.
Reporter: Recently, President Xi Jinping held talks with Russian President Putin. The joint statement issued by China and Russia mentioned cooperation in the military domain. How does the Chinese side intend to implement this?
Jiang Bin: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Putin once again held a summit in Beijing, charting new plans and deployments for the development of China-Russia relations. The China-Russia joint statement emphasizes that both sides will continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two militaries, enhance mutual trust in the military domain, improve cooperation mechanisms, expand joint exercises and training and maritime and air joint patrols, strengthen coordination and cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks, jointly address various risks and challenges, and together safeguard global and regional security and stability.
The development of relations between the Chinese and Russian militaries has always adhered to the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting third parties. The Chinese military will work together with the Russian side to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously enrich and deepen the substance of cooperation, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, and advance strategic cooperation between the two militaries to a new level, making new contributions to safeguarding global strategic stability and international fairness and justice.
Reporter: According to reports, media have recently disclosed the draft of the first Defense White Paper under the Takaichi administration, which portrays Chinese activities in the Pacific as a "security threat" and expresses vigilance. At the same time, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that Japan's "exclusively defensive defense (専守防衛)" policy has not changed, and that China's characterization of Japan as engaging in "neo-militarism (新型军国主义)" is unfounded. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: Japan's words and deeds are inconsistent—the more it tries to explain, the worse it looks. In recent years, the Japanese government has dramatically expanded its military budget, developed and deployed offensive weapons, relaxed exports of lethal weapons, pushed to revise the peace constitution, advocated for Japan to become a country "capable of fighting wars (能战)," and even clamored for abandoning the "three non-nuclear principles." If this can still be called "exclusively defensive defense," then the word "offense" does not exist in the dictionary. Japanese militarism once inflicted profound catastrophe on the world and brought disaster to the Japanese people as well. The "gray rhino (灰犀牛)" of Japan's "remilitarization" is charging forward—this cannot but serve as a wake-up call. The international community should clearly recognize Japan's "deceptive diplomacy (欺骗式外交)" and "victim disguise (受害者伪装)," and jointly restrain Japan's "neo-militarism (新型军国主义)" to safeguard regional and world peace and stability.
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which MND Spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin answered questions from reporters. Photo by Zhao Ziqing.
Reporter: According to reports, during U.S. President Trump's visit to China, he stated in an interview that he does not want Taiwan to be "independent" and that the United States has no intention of fighting a war for Taiwan 9,500 miles away. Lai Ching-te sophistically claimed that Taiwan will never become a bargaining chip, that he is "defending the status quo of the 'Republic of China,'" and that there is "no issue of 'Taiwan independence.'" What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are fundamentally incompatible; safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common denominator between China and the United States. Lai Ching-te once brazenly called himself a "pragmatic Taiwan independence worker (务实台独工作者)." Now he hypocritically declares there is "no issue of 'Taiwan independence'"—this is a repackaging and change of rhetoric after being harshly slapped by reality, and it also demonstrates precisely that pursuing "Taiwan independence" is already a dead end, and the illusion of "relying on the United States to seek independence (倚美谋独)" will ultimately be shattered.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, according to reports, President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to China, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Shengmin met with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff and Commander of the Armed Forces General Munir, who accompanied the Prime Minister. How does the spokesperson assess the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and their two militaries? Second, according to reports, the United States and Japan recently conducted joint military exercises in the Southwestern Islands, only 110 kilometers from Taiwan, and established a joint command center. Japan's Defense Minister explicitly stated that this move is intended to strengthen regional deterrence and emergency combat capabilities. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: Regarding the first question. China and Pakistan are good neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, good friends bound by trust and righteousness, good partners who watch out for each other, and good brothers who stand together through thick and thin. Over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the friendship between the two countries has withstood the test of changing international circumstances and has grown stronger and deeper, winning the hearts of the people. Pakistani friends often describe China-Pakistan friendship as "higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, and sweeter than honey," while the Chinese people affectionately call Pakistan "Pakistan Iron Brother (巴铁)."
The two militaries maintain close relations, with fruitful practical cooperation in the areas of strategic communication, joint exercises and training, personnel training, and equipment and technology. The series of joint exercises and training between the two armies—including the Army's "Warriors (勇士)," the Navy's "Sea Guardians (海洋卫士)," and the Air Force's "Shaheen (雄鹰)"—have become signature programs of bilateral cooperation. We are willing to work together with the Pakistani side, under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests, and elevate the two militaries' relationship to a higher level, contributing to the accelerated building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future (中巴命运共同体) in the new era and to promoting world development and security.
Regarding the second question. China has consistently maintained that military cooperation between relevant countries should not target third parties or harm third-party interests, and should not undermine regional peace and stability. Japan's right-wing forces are continuously making dangerous advances and provocative probes in the military and security domain, and "neo-militarism (新型军国主义)" is well on its way to becoming a "source of calamity (祸源)" for East Asia. All people who love peace should not allow Japan to act in defiance of justice and let it destroy peace and bring harm to the world.
Reporter: According to reports, the U.S. military plans to deploy the Typhon mid-range missile system at Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, from June to September for use in U.S.-Japan joint exercises. After the exercises, the Typhon mid-range missile system will be transferred to U.S. military bases in Japan. Once the Typhon missile system is deployed in Japan, its range can cover most of China's territory. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: The Typhon mid-range missile system is an offensive weapon. The United States and Japan are insisting on deploying this system in Japan under the guise of joint exercises, which damages the legitimate security interests of other countries, drives up the risk of regional arms races and military confrontation, and seriously threatens regional security and stability. We firmly oppose this. China urges the United States and Japan to genuinely respect the security concerns of regional countries and to stop undermining regional peace and stability.
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which MND Spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin answered questions from reporters. Photo by Zhao Ziqing.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, according to reports, a Dutch military helicopter was "intercepted" by Chinese forces in the South China Sea yesterday. The PLA Southern Theater Command confirmed this on the same day. What is the Ministry of National Defense's comment? Second, U.S. officials stated that U.S. forces launched a "self-defense strike" against Iran, shooting down multiple Iranian drones and striking a drone control station near Bandar Abbas. The U.S. military accused these of posing a threat to U.S. forces and commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. What is the spokesperson's response?
Jiang Bin: Regarding the first question. Recently, a carrier-based helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands), seriously violating China's sovereignty and damaging China's security interests. The Chinese military organized naval and air forces to take forceful measures, expelling it through lateral pressure, and lodged solemn representations with the Dutch side.
The Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) are China's inherent territory. The Chinese military maintains a high state of readiness at all times and will resolutely defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Dutch side to stop its infringing, reckless, and provocative actions, strictly constrain the actions of frontline naval and air forces, and avoid maritime and air incidents.
Regarding the second question. China has always maintained that dialogue and negotiation are the right path, and that there is no way out through the use of force. We urge the relevant parties to honor their ceasefire commitments, persist in resolving disputes through peaceful means, continue to reach solutions that accommodate the reasonable concerns of all parties through dialogue and negotiation, and work to restore peace in the Middle East and Gulf region at the earliest possible date.
Reporter: Could the spokesperson introduce which representatives China will send to the Shangri-La Dialogue taking place in Singapore this weekend? Based on the participant list published on the IISS organizer's website, China's Defense Minister's name is not listed—please confirm. In the current international situation, how does China view the role of the Shangri-La Dialogue as a security summit platform?
Jiang Bin: From May 29 to 31, a delegation of experts and scholars from the Chinese People's Liberation Army will attend the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore at the invitation of the organizers. The delegation will be led by Professor Meng Xiangqing of the National Defense University, with members including experts and scholars from the National Defense University, the Academy of Military Sciences, and the Navy.
China attaches importance to defense and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and has always upheld an open and inclusive approach, actively participating in various constructive dialogues. The experts and scholars being sent on this occasion will give in-depth explanations of China's concepts and initiatives, and will be committed to building confidence, dispelling doubts, building consensus, and deepening cooperation, jointly contributing wisdom and strength to safeguarding Asia-Pacific peace and stability.
Reporter: According to reports, Japan's Ministry of Defense has announced measures to strengthen defense capabilities in the space domain and has also declared that it has activated a low-orbit military reconnaissance satellite constellation. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: In recent years, Japan has gone further and further down the road of military expansion, step by step breaking through the constraints of the "peace constitution" and aggressively building up space military forces. Japan's ruling authorities have continuously increased funding, colluded with other countries to conduct joint space military exercises, built a space military intelligence system, and, under the banner of defense, sought to develop and deploy space weapons—causing an increase in the risk of the weaponization of space and a space arms race, and producing a negative impact on global strategic stability.
The peaceful use of outer space is the consensus of all humanity. Japan's scheme to seek military emancipation (军事松绑) in the space domain and to retread the old path of militarism runs counter to the tide of history and the trend of the times. The international community should be highly vigilant and strongly restrain this, and resolutely safeguard humanity's common home.
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, at which MND Spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin answered questions from reporters. Photo by Zhang Zhicheng.
Reporter: Recently, President Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Vučić. Please provide further details on exchanges between the Chinese and Serbian militaries.
Jiang Bin: China and Serbia are steadfast friends who have weathered storms and shared hardships together. Under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, the two militaries have continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation in the areas of high-level mutual visits, personnel training, and joint training. The Chinese military is willing to work together with the Serbian side to strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, clearly and unequivocally support each other's legitimate measures to safeguard core interests, jointly oppose power politics and bullying, and write a new chapter of security and development together, making a positive contribution to the continued advancement of the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future (中塞命运共同体) in the new era.
Reporter: According to reports, during Defense Secretary Hegseth's visit to China accompanying President Trump, media captured footage of him exchanging words with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. Could the spokesperson reveal the content of their conversation? In addition, there are reports that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy will visit China, also in preparation for a subsequent visit by Hegseth. Can the spokesperson confirm this?
Jiang Bin: During President Trump's visit to China, the defense ministers of China and the United States exchanged views on relations between the two militaries and issues of mutual concern. Regarding the next steps in exchanges between the two militaries, both sides will make good use of dialogue and communication channels at all levels to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.
Reporter: The U.S. Acting Secretary of the Navy recently publicly stated that the United States is pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, drawing attention from public opinion on the island. The U.S. House of Representatives recently released portions of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes $1 billion under the "Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative" to help enhance Taiwan's "defense capabilities." What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: China's position of firmly opposing U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region is consistent and clear. The U.S. side should abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués—especially the August 17 Communiqué—implement the important consensus reached at the China-U.S. summit, honor the commitments and statements made to the Chinese side, handle the Taiwan issue with the utmost caution, and take concrete actions to safeguard the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and military-to-military relations.
Reporter: The Japanese government plans to fully liberalize weapons exports. At the same time, the Philippines is actively considering acquiring Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Abukuma-class frigates, several of which bear names carried over from Imperial Japanese Navy vessels of World War II—vessels that participated in the invasion of Southeast Asian countries. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: We have consistently maintained that defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should not target third parties or harm third-party interests. During World War II, Japanese militarism invaded and colonially ruled neighboring countries including China and the Philippines, perpetrating a litany of crimes including the Nanjing Massacre, the Manila Massacre, and the "Bataan Death March (巴丹死亡行军)," and bears grave historical responsibility. In recent years, Japan has broken through the constraints of the peace constitution and the "exclusively defensive defense (専守防衛)" principle, continuously exporting weapons and equipment abroad, and brazenly attempting to form "small cliques (小圈子)" to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, creating destabilizing factors in the Asia-Pacific region. We hope that the countries concerned will not forget the painful lessons of history, will stop creating division and confrontation, and will jointly restrain Japan's "neo-militarism (新型军国主义)" to safeguard peace and tranquility in the Asia-Pacific region.
Reporter: On May 19, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy organized the Liaoning carrier strike group to conduct training in relevant waters of the Western Pacific, and unusually pre-announced the training subjects, including live-fire exercises. In response to this training, some media have commented that the Liaoning's new combat capabilities are facing a "major test." What is your response?
Jiang Bin: Regarding the Liaoning carrier strike group's training in the Western Pacific, we have already released relevant information—this is routine training conducted in accordance with the annual plan. Since the Liaoning was commissioned, it has organized a series of comprehensive exercises in an orderly manner according to plan, with carrier strike group training deepening and expanding toward operational employment in distant seas, and forming integrated operational capabilities (体系作战能力). As the "pathfinder (探路者)" of China's carrier development and the "incubator (孵化器)" of carrier personnel, the Liaoning has played an irreplaceable and important role in enhancing the combat power of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, and will continue to make greater contributions to the Navy's advance into the deep blue, and to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests as well as world peace and stability.
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of National Defense held its regular press conference, with reporters asking questions on-site. Photo by Zhang Zhicheng.
Reporter: According to reports, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that the South China Sea faces behaviors including "illegal acts, aggression, bullying, and disinformation," that the Philippines faces a broader "security threat," and that the Filipino people should maintain a "wartime footing." What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: Certain individuals on the Philippine side have repeatedly hyped up false narratives about China and have long since lost all credibility. The Philippine side frequently provokes and stirs up trouble at sea, infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and colludes with external forces to create chaos in the South China Sea—seriously violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and damaging the common interests of regional countries. Stirring up waves wins no hearts, and manufacturing trouble out of nothing will find no market. In fact, those who fabricate lies, frighten the public, and incite confrontation are the true threat to the Philippines' national interests and the well-being of its people. Undaunted by the rising waves, we only wish the seas would be calm. China will continue to take effective measures to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests and to maintain regional peace and stability.
Reporter: Recently, when U.S. President Trump arrived in Beijing aboard Air Force One, a Chinese soldier stood motionless at his post as Air Force One roared past behind him. The relevant video spread widely on social media at home and abroad, with many netizens giving it a thumbs up and praising the strict discipline of Chinese soldiers. What is your comment?
Jiang Bin: This soldier who stood unmoved is a microcosm of tens of millions of Chinese soldiers, and a vivid embodiment of the confidence, composure, and steadiness of a great nation's military. Swift as thunder when in motion, immovable as a mountain when still—at all times, the Chinese People's Liberation Army is always the heroic force that the Party and the people can place complete trust in.
Reporter: I have two questions. First, this month, at the opening ceremony of the "Northeast Super League (东北超)," scale models of J-35 and J-6 aircraft hand-crafted (手搓) by fans soared across the venue, drawing cheers from the entire crowd. The appearance of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's (沈飞) old meritorious aircraft and new ace aircraft at the venue also prompted many netizens to marvel at the rapid progress of these national treasures (国之重器). What is the spokesperson's comment? Second, according to reports, during a phone call between the U.S. and Japanese defense ministers, the U.S. side informed Japan that the delivery schedule for 400 Tomahawk missiles ordered in 2024 will be significantly delayed, potentially by up to two years. Japanese analysts believe that the missile delivery delay will compel Japan to accelerate the pace of domestically developed missile mass production. What is the spokesperson's comment?
Jiang Bin: Regarding the first question. I noted the reports about the opening ceremony of the "Northeast Super League (东北超)." This reflects the most sincere feelings of the people toward the national defense enterprise. I also take this opportunity to wish the players of the "Northeast Super League" footwork as precise as aircraft assembly, shots as powerful as afterburner ignition, and the spirit of the aviation community's tenacious struggle and courageous striving for the lead—may they create glory on the green pitch.
Regarding the second question. We hope that military cooperation between the relevant countries will contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, rather than the contrary.
Jiang Bin: If there are no further questions, today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you!