Ministry of Defense Focuses on Responding to Hot Issues Related to the Military

[Global Times Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] On the afternoon of the 9th, Major General Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, comprehensively elaborated on China's position regarding hot issues such as Japan's continuous tracking and hype of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group's training in the high seas. At the same time, Zhang Xiaogang firmly warned the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in response to recent statements from the U.S. regarding Taiwan, stating that China's unification is an unstoppable trend.

"The Japanese side has repeatedly conducted tracking and monitoring, and the Chinese naval fleet has dealt with it in accordance with the law and regulations."

Recently, the Japanese side has repeatedly monitored the Liaoning aircraft carrier group's training in the Western Pacific, with the Japanese Ministry of Defense continuously announcing the number of vessels in the group, the sea areas, and the number of takeoffs and landings of carrier-based aircraft.

Regarding the situation of "the Japanese side repeatedly monitoring the Liaoning aircraft carrier group's training in the Western Pacific," Major General Zhang Xiaogang responded on the afternoon of the 9th, stating that the Chinese naval fleet dealt with it in accordance with the law and regulations.

On May 19, the Chinese Navy announced that the People's Liberation Army Navy organized the Liaoning aircraft carrier group to conduct training in relevant sea areas of the Western Pacific, during which it would carry out exercises such as long-range tactical flights, live-fire shooting, support and cover, and comprehensive rescue, to test and enhance the troops' level of practical combat training.

On June 1, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's Joint Staff Office announced that the Japan Self-Defense Forces confirmed that the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning conducted approximately 170 takeoffs and landings of carrier-based aircraft and helicopters in the Pacific waters east of the Philippines from May 26 to 28.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also announced the composition of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group, which includes not only the Liaoning aircraft carrier but also the Type 055 destroyer Wuxi, the Type 052D destroyer Kaifeng, the Type 054B frigate Luohe, and the Type 901 comprehensive supply ship Hulun Lake.

The Japanese Defense Minister previously stated that they would closely monitor the movements of the Chinese aircraft carrier group and continue to conduct vigilance and surveillance. In response, Zhang Xiaogang stated that the Liaoning aircraft carrier group is currently conducting training in relevant sea areas of the Western Pacific as planned. This operation is not aimed at any specific country or target, but is intended to enhance the combat capability of the carrier group through long-range training.

"During this period, the Japanese side has repeatedly conducted tracking and monitoring, and the Chinese naval fleet has dealt with it in accordance with the law and regulations. The Japanese side's hype over China's legitimate actions is an attempt to create tension and mislead public opinion, which is clear to anyone with discernment; this will not succeed," Zhang Xiaogang stated.

Military expert Song Zhongping told Global Times reporters on the 9th that from the response of the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, it can be seen that during the training of the PLA Navy fleet, the Japanese Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces continuously conducted close reconnaissance of our fleet, and we took measures to drive away Japanese vessels and aircraft in accordance with regulations, which is in line with international practices. Song Zhongping stated that the Liaoning aircraft carrier conducting training in relevant sea areas of the Western Pacific is based on the Liaoning to refine new combat methods, conducting coordinated exercises with new types of vessels, carrier-based aircraft, and the aircraft carrier, and the related activities are located in international waters, which is completely reasonable and legal; the Japanese side has no right to interfere.

Song Zhongping further stated that China's military power construction aims to maintain regional and global peace and stability, while Japan's military expansion is essentially a manifestation of the resurgence of militarism. In response to a series of provocative actions by the Japanese side, China will inevitably take effective countermeasures.

Warning the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, any attempts to seek "independence" are destined to fail.

The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue will be held in Singapore from May 29 to 31, 2026. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin praised the recently stabilized U.S.-China relations in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue and notably did not mention Taiwan.

Bloomberg reported that this is the first time in at least a decade that a U.S. Secretary of Defense has avoided the Taiwan issue at this forum. The report cited official meeting records stating that Austin mentioned Taiwan at least five times in his speech at the forum last year.

In response, the head of Taiwan's defense department claimed that although the U.S. Secretary of Defense did not mention Taiwan in his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its "self-defense" capabilities and maintain close military cooperation with the U.S.

Zhang Xiaogang responded to the statements from Taiwan's defense department on the 9th, firmly stating that any schemes of "relying on foreign forces to seek independence" or "using force to seek independence" are destined to fail, and forces that are stubborn and go against the tide will be submerged by the torrent of history.

Zhang Xiaogang said, "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are irreconcilable. Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common ground for both China and the U.S. Recent U.S. statements regarding Taiwan show that they are increasingly understanding and valuing China's position and concerns on the Taiwan issue, and more and more facts confirm that China's unification is an unstoppable trend.

Recently, Japan and the Philippines unilaterally announced the initiation of boundary negotiations in the waters east of Taiwan Island, and the Chinese Coast Guard immediately conducted law enforcement patrols in the relevant waters, while the Ministry of Transport continued to carry out special law enforcement actions for maritime traffic. In response, Zhang Xiaogang stated that regarding Japan and the Philippines' unilateral announcement to initiate boundary negotiations in the waters east of Taiwan Island, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly clarified its firm opposition. "We urge Japan and the Philippines to immediately stop their illegal and provocative actions; if they persist in their course, they will only bring upon themselves the consequences, and China will take resolute and strong actions to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

The spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense calls on aspiring youth to apply for military academies.

The 2026 National College Entrance Examination is currently underway. For many years, military academies have conducted a series of distinctive actions before the college entrance examination to encourage outstanding youth to join the strong military cause. For example, this year, the Chinese Navy's Qilian Mountain ship (hull number 985) released a video wishing good luck to students taking the college entrance examination in 2026: "We wish the students on the 985 ship a successful examination, with flowing thoughts and smooth answers." The video has attracted widespread attention online. At the same time, students from 22 military academies, including the National University of Defense Technology and the Army Engineering University, cheered for their peers taking the college entrance examination.

For many years, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense has introduced the recruitment plans for ordinary high school graduates by military academies at press conferences and called on aspiring youth to apply for military academies.

According to Zhang Xiaogang, in 2026, the 22 military academies plan to recruit about 17,500 ordinary high school graduates. "We look forward to more aspiring youth applying for military academies, singing the song of youth in the passionate military camp, and injecting inexhaustible motivation into the acceleration of building a world-class military."