Senior Colonel Geng Yansheng:
Friends from the media, good afternoon! Welcome to the press conference of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of this month.
Question: Can you give us any details about the military parade that China is planning on holding in September to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and will China invite military representatives from any other countries to the parade. Thank you!
Answer: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
As the main eastern theater during the World Anti-Fascist War, China will hold a military parade in Beijing in September this year. The purpose is to refresh people’s memories of the past and love for peace, pay tribute to the national martyrs and create a better future.
As an international norm, the Chinese military will invite the militaries of countries which fought alongside China in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the militaries of countries which fought in the eastern theater during the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as militaries of other relevant countries to take part in the military parade and observe the parade.
Through the military parade, China hopes to demonstrate its firm stance to join hands with the rest of the world to safeguard the victorious outcome of World War II, maintain world peace and stability, and create a better future for mankind.
Question: Authoritative department of the PLA recently released the name list of the second batch of the high-ranking military officers suspected of corruption. There are comments that publicizing two lists of the 「tigers」 by the Chinese military within fifty days means that administering the military according to law and in a strict manner has become the 「new normal」. What is your comment?
Answer: Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the PLA and the People’s Armed Police Force have resolutely acted upon the important decisions and directives of President Xi by adhering to the principle of administering the military according to law and in a strict manner.
We have adopted a zero-tolerance attitude against corruption and have ensured that there are no forbidden zones in the anti-corruption drive. With a clear-cut stance of allowing no corrupt individuals in the military, we have taken down both 「tigers」 and 「flies 」.
In particular, major cases of corruption involving Xu Caihou, Gu Junshan and Yang Jinshan have been investigated. Making public the second batch of corruption cases involving major generals and higher-level officers recently has demonstrated once more our firm resolve to administer the military according to law and in a strict manner. Such publicity responded to the public’s concern, deterred corrupt individuals and forged a strong momentum in corruption punishment.
Question: My question is still on the military parade this year. Will the military parade be held in Tiananmen Square or some other places like the Lugou Bridge? And during the military parade, will any new piece of military equipment be demonstrated?
Answer: You asked about the venue of the military parade. As you know, China’s National Day military parades were always held in Tiananmen Square. So far, I haven’t heard the news that this year’s military parade will be held in other places.
As far as I know, the preparation for this year’s military parade is pressing ahead according to plan. As to the details you have asked, I have no more information to release.
Question: It is reported that compilation and revision of the new edition of the common regulations of the military has started. What is the background for revising the common regulations? Compared with the previous edition, what are the new changes and rules? At the same time, the new regulations will make adjustment on the use of mobile phones by servicemen. Will the restrictions on the use of mobile phones by servicemen be relaxed with the rapid development of information technology?
The second question, Robert Thomas, commander of the 7th Fleet of US Navy suggested that ASEAN countries should set up a joint maritime task force to patrol the South China Sea. He also promised that the 7th fleet will support such an effort. What is your comment?
Answer: According to the legislation plan of the PLA, revision of the Interior Service Regulation, the Discipline Regulation, the Formation Regulation and Safety Rules have started.
The revision will fully embody the series of important instructions of President Xi on national defense and armed forces development, absorb the current rules and regulations and the successful experience of the troops, and reflect the new situation and characteristics.
The fundamental purpose for the revision is to ensure military preparedness, stability, and the fighting capacity and cohesion of the troops.
The new edition of the common regulations under revision will implement the principle of administering the military by law and in a strict manner, adapt to the changes of the times, and make new adjustment in certain rules and regulations.
For example, changes will be made in the rules for the use of the Internet and smart phones, marriage and spouses accommodation of NCOs, rules for taking leave, field barracks management, military protocols on important occasions and flag raising ceremonies, and the reform of the serviceman award procedures. Work style and discipline, safety management, report procedures, and accountability system will be further regulated.
On the second question, China’s position on the South China Sea issue has been consistent and clear. Such remarks by the US side are adding fuel to the fire, which are not conducive to peace and stability in the South China Sea at all.
The US side should stop making irresponsible remarks, respect the efforts made by regional countries in maintaining peace and stability, and do not drive edges among other countries or create tensions in the region.
Question: My question is also about the military parade. You said that the Chinese military is going to invite militaries of other countries to take part in the military parade. Have they responded and what are the feedbacks?
Secondly, Russia is going to hold a military parade in Red Square on May 9th, 2015. Will China dispatch troops to participate in the parade? Would you please give us some details on China’s participation in Russia’s military parade?
Thirdly, I learnt that the Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan is to visit Moscow from April 16th to 17th to take part in the Moscow International Security Conference. Previously, China has never taken part in this security conference. So why will the Chinese Defense Minister take part in the conference this year? During his attendance of the conference, is the Chinese Defense Minister going to make speeches on the 70thanniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression?
Answer: I』ll answer your second question first. This year marks the 70thanniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. China and Russia, as two main theaters in Asia and Europe respectively during World War II, will hold a series of commemoration activities. The Chinese military will dispatch a square to take part in Russia’s military parade at invitation.
The Moscow International Security Conference is a multilateral security dialogue platform and is conducive to strengthening international exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding. Actually part of what you have mentioned is not accurate. Last year, China’s military sent delegates to Russia to take part in the conference. This year the Chinese military will continue to send delegates to attend the conference.
As to your first question, I have no more information about it.
Question: Xu Caihou died of illness in hospital on March 15th. After his death, will his family be treated with leniency? How about those suspects also involved in his corruption case？And will the death of Xu Caihou affect the legal procedures of other cases?
Answer: We adhere to the principle of administrating the military according to law and in a strict manner. And there is no place for corrupt individuals in the military.
Since Xu Caihou died of illness, the military procuratorate has decided not to file his case in accordance of relevant laws of China and his illegal properties gained through taking bribes will be dealt with according to law.
As to other suspects involved in Xu Caihou’s case, thorough investigation will be continued with no leniency.
Question: China is opposed to the deployment of the THAAD system in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the United States and South Korea still decide to carry out consultations on the deployment of the THAAD system in April. So do you have any comment?
Answer: Our stance on the deployment of the missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region is clear and consistent. And we think that to deploy the missile defense system by some countries in the Asia-Pacific region is neither conducive to the strategic stability and mutual trust, nor to regional peace and stability. And we hope relevant countries can be prudent in taking actions.
Question: China’s defense budget for the year 2015 is about 890 billion RMB with an increase of 10.1% over the previous year. Although the margin of increase has been the lowest in the past five years, many Western media say China has kept a double-digit growth of its defense budget in the past five years, hyping up the 「China threat」. What will the increased budget be used for? How is the defense budget distributed in general?
And secondly, in mid March, a bomb from the Myanmar military airplane was dropped on Chinese territory, resulting in injuries and deaths of Chinese civilians living in the China-Myanmar border area. Since the incident occurred, what measures have the Chinese military taken to protect the lives and property of the Chinese people living in the China-Myanmar border area?
Answer: On your first question, I』d like to make some further explanation on the Chinese national defense budget. Actually, in the year 2015, the defense budget of the central government is 886.898 billion RMB, which is a 10.1% increase over the previous year. If including the defense budget of the local governments, then the defense budget for the year 2015 is 911.49 billion RMB, a 10% increase over the previous year.
This year, the increased part of the defense budget will be mainly put into use in the following four aspects: First, to increase input in the research and development of weapons and equipment; second, to improve the condition of military training; third, to raise the salaries and improve the welfare of the military personnel; fourth, to provide financial guarantee for the military’s reform in various fields.
We have noticed that after China makes public its defense budget in the annual 「two sessions」, it always attracts a lot of attention from the outside world. Some people show their understanding of such an increase while voices of suspicion can also be heard. I think there are two kinds of suspicions. On the one hand, some people know little about China’s national defense development, which leads to some misunderstanding; on the other hand, some people always approach this issue with colored spectacles and no matter how much China’s defense budget will increase each year, they always think that such increase poses threats to the world and hype up 「China threat」.
In fact, China’s defense budget increase is appropriate and reasonable. Compared with some other countries in terms of per capita defense budget or the ratio of the defense budget to national GDP, China’s defense budget is relatively small. China has the right as well as the need to have strong national defense capabilities compatible with its national strength, so as to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
On the second question, since the conflict broke out in northern Myanmar, in order to maintain security and stability in China-Myanmar border and protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens living in the area, the PLA border defense troops have increased the frequency of border patrols, set up more sentry posts, and beefed up control and management in the important passages and sensitive areas. The PLA Air Force has also strengthened air situation monitoring in China-Myanmar border area to keep close watch on the air situation, and conducted emergency response to safeguard the sovereignty of China’s territorial air.
Question: According to media reports, recently the first batch of master sergeants of the Guangzhou Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has started working in their new posts. This demonstrates that the reform of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) system in China’s military has started. As we know, China has learnt a lot from the US in its reform of NCO system. My question is that, is there going to be a master-sergeant-in-chief respectively in all the services, namely the navy, the air force and the army of China’s military, in the future?
Secondly, I want to follow up on the question of the military parade. I』d like you to make one clarification. You have said that China is going to invite militaries of other countries to join the military parade. Do you mean that China is going to invite the leaders of foreign militaries to observe the military parade or China is going to invite foreign militaries to send soldiers to form a square to take part in the actual military parade? Thirdly, you just mentioned that China will send a military square to Russia to take part in Russia’s parade, could you give us more information on that? And lastly, will the form of this year’s military parade in China be different from the National Day military parade?
Answer: On your 1st question, having master sergeants is a common practice of many militaries of the world. To meet the needs of the development of the military, the PLA has introduced a pilot project in Shenyang, Beijing and Guangzhou MAC since last year, designating master sergeants at brigade, regiment, battalion and company levels. Their main responsibilities are basic military training of the soldiers and routine administrative affairs.
According to the plan approved by China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), the pilot project will be expanded this year while further feasibility studies and evaluations are conducted at the same time, so as to accumulate more experience for carrying out the reform of the NCO system of the PLA.
As to your second question, I have no more information to release. But I want to repeat what I have said in my answer to the previous question that the Chinese military is going to invite militaries of other countries to take part in and observe the military parade.
Question: The largest-ever helicopter carrier 「Izumo」 of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has been commissioned and started service yesterday. It is reported that the helicopter carrier 「Izumo」 will be used for containing China. Besides, a report from the Japanese media said clearly that Japan’s revision of the new Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation aims at containing China. What is your comment?
Answer: As to the recent commission of Japan’s helicopter carrier 「Izumo」, we have noticed relevant reports. Due to historical reasons, any move or action by Japan in military and security fields is worthy of high vigilance from its Asian neighbors.
We have also noticed relevant reports as to the revision of the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. It should be pointed out that the Guidelines are the product of the Cold War, and relevant arrangements should not be beyond the bilateral scope or against any third party.
Question: The person in charge of the China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation recently said to the media that they had successfully won the contract to export its FD-2000 air-defense missile system to Turkey. However, the company recently denied the reports and said such reports on the Internet are over-interpretation. So what is China’s response to this issue and what is the latest progress of the export project?
Answer: I’m not aware of the details about this issue. Please refer this question to the competent authorities of national defense industry.
Question: Recently, the mainland has opened a new flight route M503 on the west side of the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Because the new route is quite close to the median line of the Strait, there are a lot of discussions or even suspicions on this new flight route in Taiwan.
Previously, we have heard a lot of comments from mainland civil aviation authorities and Taiwan Affairs Office. So regarding the opening of the new M503 flight route and other issues related to national defense, could you please make some comments from the military perspective?
Answer: The M503 flight route is within the Shanghai Flight Information Region. Opening such a flight route is a routine work in its air space management of China’s civil aviation department. And relevant work is conducted in accordance with the conventions of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
This is an open route for civil aviation, which means that aviation companies from both Taiwan and foreign countries can apply for using this flight pass. So the opening of this new route means opening a new passage of peace in the air space.
And after the opening of this new flight route, the military activities conducted by both the mainland and Taiwan are required to keep at a safe distance from this route to ensure its smooth operation.
Question: I’m sorry I have yet another question about the military parade. Will the contributions of other countries and militaries that contributed to Japan’s defeat in the Asian theater such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and others, be reflected in China’s preparations and in the actual commemorations and parade? And also is there any chance that the military officials from Taiwan will be invited to participate?
Answer: As to the work related to Taiwan, I』d like you to refer the question to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. And in answering the previous questions on the military parade, I have mentioned the countries that we are going to invite to take part in the parade. And the countries you mentioned just now are within the countries that we are going to invite to take part in the military parade.
I want to emphasize that this year’s military parade is special in the sense that it is not only China that will take part in the parade, and it is actually an international event. And we are inviting the leaders of other countries to observe the military parade and we are also inviting the militaries of other countries to send their own contingents or teams to take part in and observe the military parade.
Question: Media reports say that the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he received the invitation from the Chinese side to take part in the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance a gainst Japanese Aggression, but he may not attend. Do you have any comment?
Answer: China is going to hold a military parade in September this year and the purpose of the parade is to refresh people’s memories of past and their love for peace, pay tribute to national martyrs and create a better future. As to the invitation of foreign leaders to take part in the commemoration activities, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Question: The security dialogue between China and Japan was held in Tokyo in mid March. During the dialogue, no agreement or consensus was made on establishing the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the defense departments of the two countries. What are the reasons behind the failure to reach an agreement on this issue? Was it because of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s remarks for the 70th anniversary of the World War II?
Answer: The 13th round of China-Japan Security Dialogue was held in Tokyo on March 19th. Officials from the defense and foreign ministries of the two countries attended the dialogue, during which officials of the two sides exchanged in depth views on international and regional security situation, respective defense and security policies, and defense exchanges between the two sides.
Both sides agreed to launch the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the two defense ministries as soon as possible. And China expressed concern to the Japanese side on the changes in Japan’s defense and security policies and urged Japan to continue the path of peaceful development.
To set up the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the two defense ministries will help the two sides to avoid unexpected events in the air and at sea as a result of misunderstanding or misjudgment, and will also improve mutual trust in defense and security between the two countries. We hope that the dialogue to set up such a mechanism can press ahead and achieve concrete results as early as possible.
Question: With more than 30 high-ranking military officers being investigated on corruption charges, the anti-corruption campaign is still going on in the Chinese military. Will the efforts of the Chinese military to improve its fighting capacity be affected by the anti-corruption campaign with the changes of personnel?
The discipline inspection teams of the Central Military Commission (CMC) inspected seven PLA Military Area Commands last year. And this year, the CMC sent the discipline inspection teams to the General Headquarters/Departments of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Will the inspection system be normalized as a routine system in the future? Or, will it be terminated after the inspection work is completed in all major units of the PLA?
Secondly, according to the Associated Press (AP), the Myanmar military said that the Kokang armed forces hired some retired Chinese soldiers to join the fight against the government troops. Could you confirm it?
Answer: Corruption has serious negative impacts on the fighting capacity of the military. And a corrupt military is never capable of fighting and winning. The current anti-corruption campaign in the Chinese military is aimed at purifying our body and improving fighting capacity.
Focusing on winning battles, the Chinese military is currently intensifying its efforts to improve the party’s work style and push forward the anti-corruption campaign. Now, all officers and soldiers of the PLA are in high morale and the fighting capacity of the Chinese military has been further improved.
To carry out inspection tours is a strategic arrangement of the Chinese military to strengthen the Party work style and fight corruption. Currently, the inspection work is underway step by step in accordance with the annual plan, and will cover all the units in the Chinese military.
As to your second question, China’s policy on the China-Myanmar relations has been consistent and clear. China always respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and does not allow any organization or individual to use Chinese territory to conduct activities harmful to the China-Myanmar relations and the stability of the China-Myanmar border areas.
You have mentioned the report about the recruitment of the retired Chinese soldiers by the Kokang armed force. I am not aware of such things. There were also media reports that the personnel in active service of the Chinese military have taken part in the domestic conflicts in Myanmar. Here I』d like to clarify that such kinds of reports are definitely false.
I would like to take this opportunity to release one more piece of information. According to the consensus reached by the leaders of the two militaries of China and Myanmar, and in order to properly deal with the incident of Chinese nationals being killed and injured by the bomb dropped from a Myanmar warplane, the two militaries have both sent military expert teams to conduct joint investigation in areas of Lincang, Yunnan province from March 24th to 26th, 2015.