Dinesh Chandra

BEIJING, Feb. 23 -- Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question is an internal affair that the Chinese people will resolve on their own at their own discretion, without brooking any foreign interference, stressed Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. According to reports, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) recently claimed that the PLA has been ordered to get ready for attacking the Taiwan Island before 2027. In contrast, the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs said at a Congress hearing that he was confident that the Chinese mainland won’t make any major "aggression" against the Taiwan region before 2030, while US Air Force Chief of Staff said he didn't think the mainland's "aggression" of Taiwan is pressing or inevitable. "We've noticed that the US side seems to be in the habit of making such contradict

BEIJING, Feb.19 -- According to the consensus reached by China, Russia and South Africa, from February 20 to 27, the navies of the three countries will hold the second joint maritime exercise in the eastern waters and airspace from Durban to Richards Bay of South Africa, said the Chinese defense ministry in a written statement on Sunday. And the focus of this exercise is "the joint operation to safeguard the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities". Based on the statement, the Chinese guided missile destroyer Huainan, frigate Rizhao and comprehensive supply ship Kekexilihu, which are carrying out the 42nd escort mission in the Gulf of Aden, will participate in the exercise. And the joint exercise will help further promote the defense and security cooperation among BRICS countries and enhance the capabilities of participating parties to jointly safeguard maritime security. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/19/content_10218061.htm

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's indigenously-developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft is expected to enter the market in 2025, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). AG600M aircraft, a model specialized for firefighting belonging to the AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, will aim to obtain the type certificate in 2024, said the AVIC, the country's leading plane-maker. The AVIC will endeavor to push forward the initial small-batch deliveries of AG600M firefighting aircraft in 2025, the AVIC added. The Chinese planemaker will also facilitate another model of the AG600 aircraft family, especially for rescue missions, to obtain the type certificate in 2025. The year 2023 is important for aircraft development, as a series of major test missions are scheduled to take place this year. The AVIC will strive to make the AG600M aircraft capable of serving firefighting missions, the Chinese planemaker said. The AVIC is committed to making decisive e

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said at a meeting on Thursday that China has achieved a major and decisive victory in its COVID-19 prevention and control since November 2022. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. Over the past three years, China has taken an extraordinary journey in its COVID-19 prevention and control work, the meeting noted after hearing a report on recent work of epidemic response. Always putting the people and their lives first, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core has optimized prevention and control measures in light of evolving situations, efficiently coordinated COVID-19 response with economic and social development, and effectively protected the people's lives and health, the meeting said. With continuous efforts to optimize COVID-19 prevention and control measures since Nove

BEIJING, Feb.16 -- At the invitation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) military, the guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will attend the naval defense and maritime security exhibition NAVDEX in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 17 to 25, according to PLA Navy Spokesperson Senior Captain Liu Wensheng on February 16. During the exhibition, the Chinese naval ship Nanning will hold seminars, mutual visits, sports competitions and other friendly exchange activities with the UAE Navy and participating ships from other countries. It will also be open to the public. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/16/content_10217839.htm

BEIJING, Feb.16 -- From February 8 to 15, a working group sent by China’s Ministry of National Defense visited Laos, Vietnam and Brunei and held talks respectively with the defense departments of the three countries. The Chinese working group exchanged views with their counterparts on mi-to-mil relations and regional security issues of common concern, conducted in-depth consultations on the construction of bilateral defense cooperation mechanisms, and reached a series of consensus, which further enriched the substance of China's defense cooperation with relevant countries.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/16/content_10217829.htm