Dinesh Chandra

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year speech Thursday evening in Beijing to ring in 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday hailed the country's hard-won achievements in COVID-19 response, economic recovery and poverty eradication in the "extraordinary" year of 2020. Xi called for continued efforts to score more "glorious" achievements while delivering a televised New Year speech to ring in 2021, a year deemed crucial by the Chinese leadership as it will mark the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and kick off a 15-year endeavor to build China into a "modern socialist country." 2020: AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR China has written an epic in fighting COVID-19 as the country put people and life first and fought the epidemic with unity and perseverance, Xi said. Numerous people including medical workers, scientists, community workers, volunteers and construction

Photo/IC The Chinese military hopes the US can continue to enhance cooperation with China in strategic dialogue, risk management and conflict prevention in the new year and jointly promote the stable development of military-to-military relations between the two countries, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. Military relations between the countries have been affected by negative rhetoric and actions from the US, but relations are generally stable, as both sides have maintained dialogue and jointly managed risks, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the ministry, said in a news briefing on Thursday. "China has always highly valued Sino-US military-to-military relations," he said. "Maintaining healthy and stable military relations not only is in the shared interests of both countries, it is also the common aspiration of the international community." "In the new year, we hope the US can take concrete step to reduce its hostility and provoc

A Chinese team competes in the International Army Games 2020 at Russia's Arabino shooting range. [Photo by Ren Qi/China Daily] China and Russia will maintain close communication, enhance pragmatic cooperation, promote military-to-military relations to new heights, and contribute more to world peace and stability in the new year, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries. "It is a year of special importance to both countries," Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a ministry spokesman, said in a news briefing on Thursday. This year, China-Russia military relations maintained their high status, characterized by cooperation, such as in the forms high-level visits, epidemic control and joint exercises. In December, the two countries signed a 10-year extension to their agreement on mutual launch notification of both countries' ballistic missi

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- "Its intention is nothing more than to create an excuse for the US to seek absolute military superiority. China is firmly opposed to this", said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), when commenting on the US newly released maritime strategy and its accusations on China at a regular press conference on December 31. A new maritime strategy Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power was jointly released on Dec. 17 by the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, in which the US accused China of strengthening military strength in space and cyberspace, threatening world peace and prosperity. In response, Snr. Col. Tan remarked that to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Some people in the US still hold the outdated Cold War mentality and the narrow-minded zero-sum game, hypothesize other countries as threats, frequently incite disputes and conflicts, and undermine th

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- The South China Sea should be neither an arena for major-power wrestling nor a sea dominated by warships, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Thursday. According to foreign media reports, the British Royal Navy announced that it would deploy its aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to the South China Sea early next year. When asked for comments, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a regular press conference that some countries outside the region come from afar to flex their military muscles, ignite confrontations, and create tensions in the South China Sea, which is the root reason for the “militarization” of this region. "At present, the situation in the South China Sea maintains overall stability thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries. The Chinese military will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests and maintain peac

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- Recently the Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison is debugging and testing relevant facilities of the Central Military Dock. The berthing of the Garrison’s ship is part of the testing process, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), when responding the first berthing of the Garrison’s ship at the Central Military Dock at the regular press conference on Thursday. The spokesperson mentioned that the Central Military Dock was officially handed over to the PLA Hong Kong Garrison according to the Memorandum of Understanding on Handover of Central Military Dock signed by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison at the end of September, 2020. The handover has further enhanced the Garrison's ability to perform its defense duties in accordance with the law. When talking about the dock’s functions, the spokesperson said that in light of the defense needs, the dock is

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), briefly introduced the latest progress of the China-Japan maritime and air liaison mechanism on Thursday, when answering the reporter’ s question about the construction of maritime and air liaison mechanism mentioned in a recent video call between the Chinese and Japanese defense ministers. Tan said that the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the Chinese and Japanese defense departments has been operating well since its establishment in 2018 and has played a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the East China Sea. According to Tan, at present, after several rounds of consultations, the defense departments of the two countries have made positive progress on the direct telephone line under the maritime and air liaison mechanism. It is expected to start building as soon as possible. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/31/content_9961273.htm

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- China and India are holding consultations on the ninth round of Corps Commander Level Meeting, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. Snr. Col. Tan introduced that, since the eighth round of Corps Commander Level Meeting between Chinese and Indian militaries, the two sides have maintained consultation on disengagement of frontline troops and strengthened management of border troops. The situation in the border areas is generally stable. China is willing to maintain communication with India via military and diplomatic channels. India is expected to work with China towards the same goal, implement the consensus reached at the Corps Commander Level Meetings, and take pragmatic measures to further abate the tension in border areas, Snr. Col. Tan stressed.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/31/content_9961274.htm

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- The all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan can only get better in the future, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. According to Snr. Col. Tan, the China-Pakistan Joint Air Force Exercise "Shaheen (Eagle) - IX" was held at the Pakistani air base in Bholari from December 7 to 25. The two sides conducted a series of actual-combat joint training exercises and achieved the preset goals. When asked to comment on the relationship between the two militaries, Snr. Col. Tan pointed out that, China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners; the bilateral relations can only get better in the future. The military ties between China and Pakistan serve as an important pillar for the two countries’ bilateral relationship. Since the beginning of 2020, the two militaries have maintained close high-level strategic communicati

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 30, 2020. During the meeting, Xi and the European leaders announced that the two sides have completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and European leaders on Wednesday announced that the two sides have completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled. The announcement was made during a meeting between Xi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen via video link. Calling the investment agreement between China and the European Union (EU) as "balanced, high-standard and mutually be

BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- The provocative actions of the US military vessels sent erroneous signals to the “Taiwan Independence” forces and severely jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday. Senior Colonel Wu’s remarks came after two US guided missile destroyers USS McCain and USS Wilbur sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Dec. 31. The PLA sent naval and air forces to conduct whole-process tracking and monitoring on the US destroyers, said Wu. It is the second time that the US warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait in December following the same kind act on December 18, in an attempt to flex muscles and stir up troubles, Wu pointed out. The US naval vessels’ provocative actions are sending erroneous signals to the “Taiwan independence” forces, seriously damaging the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and China firmly opposes it, stated the spokesperson. He stressed in the end that

BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed concerted efforts to make greater breakthroughs in the reform at China's new development stage. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the 17th meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/30/content_9960763.htm

BEIJING, Dec. 30 -- According to the notice released by China's Sanya Maritime Safety Administration on December 28, military exercises will be conducted in waters around Hainan Island from December 29, 2020 to January 7, 2021. HN0129 SOUTH CHINA SEA MILITARY EXERCISES IN AREA BOUNDED BY THE LINES JOINING 17-29.0N 110-02.0E, 17-43.5N 110-18.5E, 17-37.5N 110-24.5E AND 17-23.0N 110-08.0E FROM 290000UTC DEC 20 TO 070800UTC JAN 21. ENTERING PROHIBITED. HAINAN MSA CHINA. HN0128 SOUTH CHINA SEA MILITARY EXERCISES IN AREA BOUNDED BY THE LINES JOINING 17-33.0N 109-30.0E, 17-33.0N 109-51.0E, 17-58.0N 109-51.0E AND 17-58.0N 109-30.0E FROM 290000UTC DEC 20 TO 070800UTC JAN 21. ENTERING PROHIBITED. HAINAN MSA CHINA. HN0127 SOUTH CHINA SEA MILITARY EXERCISES IN AREA BOUNDED BY THE LINES JOINING 17-54.0N 108-59.0E, 17-54.0N 109-09.0E, 18-04.0N 109-09.0E AND 18-04.0N 108-59.0E FROM 290000UTC DEC 20 TO 070800UTC JAN 21. ENTERING PROHIBITED. HAINAN MSA CHINA. source http://eng.chinamil.com

By Li Chun and Liang Xiaohui BEIJING, December 29 -- The Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, adopted the revised National Defense Law at its 24th session on December 26. The revised law further embodies the character that China's national defense is a whole-of-people cause. It added contents about strengthening the national defense awareness and the crisis consciousness of all citizens, as well as improving the technology and capability level of national defense. According to an official from the legislative bureau under China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), a total of 54 articles were revised, six were added and three deleted, and the titles of chapter four and five were changed. The revised National Defense Law, consisting of 73 articles under 12 chapters, will come into effect on January 1, 2021. The revisions mainly cover 7 aspects. First, the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New

BEIJING, Dec. 29 -- Recently, a defendant prosecuted by the People’s Procuratorate of the Donghu District in Nanchang City, China’s Jiangxi Province, was sentenced to one year in prison for sabotaging military marriage. The court’s verdict determined that the victim Chen Qiang (pseudonym), male, who is in active service of the Chinese military, has registered to marry Wang Jie (pseudonym) in accordance with the law in September 2019. The defendant Zhou met Wang in November 2019, knowing that Wang was a spouse of active service member during their contacts. On May 5, 2020, the defendant Zhou committed to a relationship with Wang and they began to live together at Chen Qiang’s apartment until the prosecution. The verdict held that the defendant Zhou knew perfectly well that his live-in partner had got married to someone on active service, and what he has done committed the crime of sabotaging military marriage. According to Article 259 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of C

BEIJING, Dec. 29 -- Recently, a defendant prosecuted by the People’s Procuratorate of the Donghu District in Nanchang City, China’s Jiangxi Province, was sentenced to one year in prison for sabotaging military marriage. The court’s verdict determined that the victim Chen Qiang (pseudonym), male, who is in active service of the Chinese military, has registered to marry Wang Jie (pseudonym) in accordance with the law in September 2019. The defendant Zhou met Wang in November 2019, knowing that Wang was a spouse of active service member during their contacts. On May 5, 2020, the defendant Zhou committed to a relationship with Wang and they began to live together at Chen Qiang’s apartment until the prosecution. The verdict held that the defendant Zhou knew perfectly well that his live-in partner had got married to someone on active service, and what he has done committed the crime of sabotaging military marriage. According to Article 259 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of C

A soldier assigned to a combined arms brigade under the PLA Tibet Military Command wears the ICS equipment, with helmet equipped with multifunctional night-vision goggles. BEIJING, Dec. 28 -- Recently, a light combined arms brigade under the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command carried out an integrated drill giving full play to the new-generation individual combat system (ICS) in a plateau area more than 4,500 meters above sea level. Equipped with the digital ICS, soldiers could mark friendly forces and conduct identification friend or foe (IFF) via their multifunctional night-vision goggles. Meanwhile, the video and information sent back to the headquarters by the goggles can help the commanders accurately identify every soldier’s location and status and observe real-time situation, obtaining the comprehensive battlefield information. According to a commanding officer of the brigade, the ICS can help the commanders track the battle process, replace the c

China's intercontinental ballistic missiles are displayed during a military parade in September 2017. These missiles are designated DF-31AG. [Photo/Xinhua] The Chinese military is poised to adopt more intelligent technologies in its modernization drive, a senior military official said. The goal of the modernization efforts of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force in the coming years will be characterized by better hardware, stronger information capabilities and the wide use of intelligent technologies, General Xu Qiliang, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, the nation's top military authority, wrote in a recently published article. "The goal of our military modernization evolves with the times. As our nation has entered a new era, President Xi Jinping has urged the armed forces to develop and use intelligent technologies as the pillar of their future combat capabilities, and at the same time they should continue upgrad

A military veteran rushed into a restaurant to put out a fire in northwest China's Yan'an City on December 18. A gas canister caught fire in the restaurant's kitchen, prompting customers to evacuate. The veteran ran up to the restaurant's second floor to pick up a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/29/content_9959931.htm

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is ready to work with Russia to unswervingly develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, realize their respective development and revitalization, and make greater contributions to building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during which the two heads of state exchanged new year greetings and wished the people in both countries a happy new year. Noting that 2020 is an extraordinary year for China, Russia and the world at large, Xi pointed out that as the COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the life and safety of humanity and dealt a heavy blow to the world economy, the world is entering a period of turbulence and transformation. True gold can stand the test of fire, and the diff

[Photo/VCG] BEIJING -- One more Chinese adenovirus vector vaccine candidate against COVID-19 is ready for human trials at home and abroad, its developers said Monday. Researchers from Tsinghua University, Tianjin Medical University and Kunming-based Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. have started developing the vaccine since the outbreak of the epidemic. Compared with other candidates, it was produced using chimpanzee blood. Because there is generally no pre-stored neutralizing antibody against chimpanzee adenovirus in the human body, the vaccine with this virus as the carrier will have the advantages of low adverse reactions, high production capacity and strong immunity after vaccination, said lead researcher Zhang Linqi, from Tsinghua University. The vaccine makers have completed animal tests and started applying to launch human trials in China and overseas. "No serious side effects have occurred in animals," said Zhang, adding that the results of the preclinical researc

By Su Hang   KHARTOUM, Dec. 28 -- The 6th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion to South Sudan (Juba) began their homebound trip after completion of the mission on December 23, local time.   Since the deployment in late November of 2019, the battalion has completed over 20 tasks of civilians protection, humanitarian aid and guarding assigned by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), during which it performed eight short-distance patrols, 14 armed escorts, and 125 urban patrols. Their patrols in the weapons restricted area have reached more than 10,000 hours, with a total mileage of more than 230,000 kilometers and 284 times of various emergencies.   To ensure that the UN humanitarian relief supplies and living materials can be delivered to the people there, the battalion carried out many armed escort missions along the important material supply lines in South Sudan, where armed conflicts often occurred. The battalion has to prevent hijacking by armed militants, and

The second Intelligentized Warfare Symposium By Pang Hongliang and Xu Zhidong BEIJING, Dec. 28 -- The second Intelligentized Warfare Symposium was recently held at the National Defense University (NDU) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing, and more than 80 military representatives attended the event. This symposium, sponsored by the National Security College of the NDU, aims to discuss the impact and challenges brought by military applications of AI on global strategic stability and military security and to explore ways to accelerate their development. In the symposium, the participants conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges on such topics as "military applications of AI in major countries", "development trend of intelligentized approach in the military", and "integrated development of mechanized, informationized and intelligentized approaches". source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/28/content_9959511.htm

China has reaffirmed the defensive nature of its national defense policy as its top legislative body adopted new revisions to the National Defense Law, renewing tasks and goals as well as cementing policies. According to an official working for the legislative bureau under China's Central Military Commission (CMC), the newly revised defense bill explicitly states that China follows a defensive national defense policy and will actively promote international military communication and cooperation, showing its anti-war and peace-loving beliefs. The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its 24th session on Saturday with multiple laws adopted, including the revised National Defense Law. The new National Defense Law will come into effect on January 1, 2021. The revision to the National Defense Law stipulates that the country encourages and supports eligible citizens and enterprises to make investments in the nation

President Xi Jinping addresses the Climate Ambition Summit via video link on Dec 12, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] BEIJING - - In a year shadowed by the onslaught of coronavirus outbreak, the world witnessed glimmers of hope in China's unremitting efforts on rallying global consensus on COVID-19 response and charting the course for future development. In the face of an unprecedented global crisis, Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in intensive head of state diplomacy, sharing thoughts with world leaders on addressing the fundamental questions of the times, and offering China's proposals to the resolution of global challenges. Throughout the year, Xi had 80 phone calls with foreign leaders and heads of international organizations and attended 22 important diplomatic events in the form of "cloud diplomacy" through the innovative virtual platform. The president's diplomatic engagements have helped build global consensus on COVID-19 and pointed out the way forward for

China's top legislature will hold its fourth annual session in Beijing on March 5, according to a decision announced by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Saturday. Apart from the regular plans that will be reviewed during the NPC annual session, including the Government Work Report, top judicial authorities and the annual budget, the decision also suggests the session will deliberate drafts on the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Furthermore, draft amendments to the NPC organic law and the NPC procedural rules are also expected to be reviewed in the next year's session, the decision added. The fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will start on March 4 in Beijing. The suggestion was raised in a draft decision approved at a Chairperson's Council meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committ

BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has stressed strengthening political building in a two-day meeting that concluded on Friday. The meeting of criticism and self-criticism stressed that members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee must increase political ability and maintain close ties with the people. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/25/content_9958559.htm

By Zhang Xiaotian, Xu Zhidong, Zhang Weiping   The year 2020 is coming to an end amid the rampant COVID-19 pandemic and ceaseless conflicts. As we look back on the past year, we see the novel coronavirus wreaking havoc across the world, major-country competition continuously escalating, the world situation being adjusted at a faster pace, regional hotspots popping up one after another, and all-terrain security risks on the rise. 2020 is a year when the old international order is falling apart more quickly, and the new landscape is being shaped with twists and turns. It marks the beginning of deep-going turbulences and changes in international military conflicts and security situation.   Adjustments of major countries' strategic layouts Historical laws tell us that the international system never evolves in a linear trajectory, nor does the rise and fall of powers, it is always a process of quantitative and qualitative accumulation, emergence, escalation, and restructuring. The

By Lyu Qiang and Peng Yi JOHANNESBURG, December 24 -- The COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing Lab in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially handed over to the Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to the DRC for use and management on December 22, local time. Being one of the 18 COVID-19 nucleic acid testing labs deployed to the UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, the lab is located at the isolation center of Civil Affairs of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), adjacent to the Chinese second-class hospital in Bukavu. The lab consists of three areas respectively for specimen preparation, product analysis and report delivery, and is equipped with a mini PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) analyzer system, which is a portable, automatic, fast, real-time, and miniature nucleic acid detection platform. This is the first time for the Chinese medical peacekeepers to DRC to undertake the UN nucleic acid test

BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed an order to release regulations on military logistics, which will serve as the main rules in relevant field. The 40-article document will set rules regarding the standards of the military's logistics work and the building of a strong and modernized logistics system for the military, ensuring that the military effectively performs its missions and tasks of the new era. The regulations will go into effect on Jan 1, 2021.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-12/23/content_9957351.htm

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN. [Photo/Foreign Ministry official website] With the Iranian nuclear issue facing new opportunities and challenges, it is good to see the international community making renewed efforts to bring the Iranian nuclear deal back onto the right track by urging the United States to rejoin the multilateral agreement as early as possible. Ever since the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, the other parties to the deal have been striving to keep the agreement from falling apart. However, such efforts have been constantly impeded by the current US administration's hostile stance toward Teheran. Even after withdrawing from the deal, the US has continued to exert extreme pressure on Iran through enhancing military presence in the Gulf region and brandishing the stick of sanctions. This year, the US has even demanded the UN Security Council invoke a snapback mechanism and reinstate international sanctions on Iran