Dinesh Chandra

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) started its second plenary session in Beijing Sunday afternoon. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presented a work report on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The plenum will review a draft plan on reform of Party and state institutions, and the proposed name lists of candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to the first session of the 14th National People's Congress and candidates for the leading positions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/26/content_10218402.htm

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

Participating ships sail to the designated sea area during the multinational maritime exercise AMAN-23 in Pakistan. (Photo by Wu Kangci) By Tang Siyu and Wu Kangci KARACHI, Feb.15 -- The multinational maritime exercise AMAN-23 drew to a close on February 14 after the completion of the harbor and sea phases. Kicked off on February 10, the exercise organized by the Pakistan Navy was divided into harbor and sea phases, involving warships, aircraft, special operations forces and many observers from more than 50 countries. During the event, all the participating troops have shown superb professionalism with careful preparation and close coordination. The multinational maritime exercise has served to improve the ability of participating countries to jointly respond to maritime security threats, and demonstrated the determination of all participants to jointly safeguard maritime security. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/15/content_10217735.htm

The picture shows the scene of the opening ceremony of multinational naval exercise AMAN (Peace)-23.   BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- On February 10, local time, the multinational naval exercise AMAN-23 initiated and organized by the Pakistan Navy officially kicked off in waters near Karachi, Pakistan. Representatives of Chinese participating troops attended the opening ceremony. The exercise running from February 10 to 14 as scheduled is composed of two parts: harbor and sea phases, with warships, aircraft, special operations forces and many observers from more than 50 countries involved. "The Chinese troops will mainly participate in the tactical exchanges and warship demonstration at the harbor phase; in terms of the sea phase, the Chinese side is to mainly participate in tactical courses including gunnery firing, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, and joint search and rescue. We are confident to do well in the exercise," said Captain Qiu Maoxuan, commanding officer of the parti

The guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy arrives at the port of Karachi, Pakistan on February 9, 2023. By Tang Siyu and Wu Kangci KARACHI, Feb.10 -- The guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) arrived at the port of Karachi, Pakistan, on February 9 to participate in the multinational naval exercise AMAN (Peace)-23 at the invitation of the Pakistan Navy. On the morning of February 9, the Pakistani side held a grand welcome ceremony for the visiting Chinese naval ship. The representatives of the Pakistan Navy, the staff of the Consulate General of China in Karachi, and the deputy military attaché of the Chinese Embassy to Pakistan met the ship Nanning at the dock. The multinational maritime exercise will be held in Karachi and its surrounding waters from February 9 to 14. With the theme "Together for Peace", it aims to promote maritime exchanges and cooperation among participating

By Zhang Zhe and Li Zhulin On February 11, local time, the Chinese peacekeeping multi-role engineering company participates in the Exercise Tiger 2023 organized by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). (Xinhua/Photo by Li Zhulin) BEIRUT, Feb.13 -- On February 11, local time, the 21st Chinese peacekeeping multi-role engineering company participated in the Exercise Tiger 2023 held by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which took place at the barracks of the company in the south Lebanese village of Hinnieh. The exercise was set against a large-scale conflict scenario in the mission area with security situation seriously deteriorating. The Chinese peacekeepers were assigned to receive, protect and transfer the UNIFIL employees and their families. During the 3-hour exercise, the Chinese peacekeeping company dispatched more than 100 members and 10 vehicles to complete drills on eight subjects, including emergency evacuation, camp defense, and armed esco

  BEIJING, Feb. 9 -- China has declined the US proposal for a telephone conversation between the defense chiefs of China and the US, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in a statement on Thursday. According to the spokesperson, the US side recently proposed a telephone conversation between the Chinese defense minister and the US defense secretary to communicate on the incident of China's civilian unmanned airship. The spokesperson said that the US persisted in using force to attack China's civilian unmanned airship, which seriously violated international practices and set a very bad precedent. In view of the US side's irresponsible and seriously wrong practice, which had failed to create a proper atmosphere for dialogue and exchange between the two militaries, China didn't accept the US proposal for a phone call between the two defense chiefs, added the spokesperson. The spokesperson also noted that the Chinese

A see-off ceremony for three taikonauts of the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission is held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 29, 2022.(Xinhua/Liu Lei)   BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-15 taikonauts, who are currently on board the Chinese Tiangong space station, will conduct their first extravehicular activities within the next few days, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday. The three-men crew have been living in orbit for 70 days since they entered the space station combination on Nov. 30, 2022. They completed various tasks, including in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou-14 taikonauts, tests of scientific experiment cabinets, and spacecraft equipment inspections. They also performed medical checks, weightlessness protection workouts and a series of space science experiments. However, the past two months have not been only about work. The latest space station residents also celebrated the Chinese New Year and held space pain

NANJING, Feb. 8 -- China's spacecraft tracking ship Yuanwang-7 left the port of China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Control Department (CSMTC) for a maritime telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) mission in the Pacific Ocean on the morning of February 7. Crews of the Yuanwang-7 have prepared electronic nautical charts in advance, updated meteorological data, formulated the main and standby routes, carried out technical exchanges on possible difficulties in the mission, and organized joint adjustment drills. Yuanwang-3 and Yuanwang-5 will soon set sail in succession. It is learnt that the Yuanwang vessels will carry out more than 20 maritime TT&C missions including support for the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft mission in 2023. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/08/content_10217134.htm

BEIJING, Feb. 8 -- At the invitation of the Pakistan Navy, the guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will participate in the multinational naval exercise AMAN (Peace)-23 in waters near Karachi, Pakistan, from February 9 to 14, according to a statement released by China's defense ministry on Wednesday. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/08/content_10217043.htm

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China has launched an emergency humanitarian assistance mechanism and will provide emergency aid to quake-hit Türkiye and Syria, said Deng Boqing, deputy head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, on Tuesday. China will provide the first batch of emergency aid worth 40 million yuan (about 5.89 million U.S. dollars) to Türkiye, according to Deng. A rescue team will leave within hours and a medical team will be sent within the shortest time possible, he added. He said China is coordinating efforts to provide relief supplies to Syria and speeding up the implementation of the ongoing food aid program. More than 4,000 people were killed and tens of thousands injured after strong earthquakes jolted parts of Türkiye and neighboring Syria early Monday. The Chinese government will continue to provide aid to the two countries within its capacity and in light of the evolving situation and actual needs, Deng said. source http://eng.chinamil.c

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed the importance of correctly understanding and vigorously advancing Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance). The session was attended by newly-elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/07/content_10216936.htm

The 42nd and 43rd Chinese naval escort taskforces hold a farewell ceremony in the Gulf of Aden on February 5, 2023. (Photo by Wu Kangci) GULF OF ADEN, Feb. 7 -- The 42nd and 43rd Chinese naval escort taskforces held a rotation ceremony in the Gulf of Aden on February 5. This marks that the 43rd Chinese naval escort taskforce officially took over the escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia from the 42nd taskforce. It is learnt that the 43rd taskforce is composed of the guided-missile destroyer Nanning, the guided-missile frigate Sanya and the comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu. On the way to the Gulf of Aden, the taskforce had organized drills and training based on a variety of complex situations, so as to further improve the realistic combat capabilities and get well prepared for the implementation of escort mission. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/07/content_10216907.htm

BEIJING, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent messages of condolence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad respectively over strong earthquakes in the two countries. Xi said that upon learning of the earthquakes, which caused heavy casualties and property losses in Türkiye and Syria, he would like to express deep condolences over the victims and offer sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured on behalf of the Chinese government and people. He expressed the belief that under the leadership of President Erdogan and President Bashar, the two governments and their people will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/07/content_10216801.htm

The picture shows the 10th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to Mali providing free medical clinic.   BEIJING, Feb.6 -- At the invitation of the Sector East of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the local government, the 10th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to Mali went to the Rand School in Gao on February 1 to provide free medical clinic. The Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent has sent out an expert team of 16 doctors from multiple clinical disciplines, including respiration, digestion, gynecology and pediatrics, epidemic prevention, and laboratory medicine, to offer free diagnosis and treatment for teachers and students in schools against seasonal epidemics, infectious diseases, and other common and frequently-occurring diseases.  During the breaks, the Chinese expert team also visited the school hospital and carried out communication activities. The backbone doctors provided on-site teaching and technic

The picture shows a ship-borne helicopter heading out on patrol during a joint escort training exercise by China’s 42nd and 43rd naval escort taskforces on February 3, 2023.   BEIJING, Feb. 6 -- From February 3 to 4, local time, the Chinese 42nd and 43rd naval escort taskforces carried out a multi-subject joint training exercise in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali. At 9:00 am on February 3, the comprehensive supply ship Kekexilihu (Hull 903) of the 42nd Chinese naval escort taskforce acted as a merchant ship. Ship Huainan (Hull 123) and ship Rizhao (Hull 598) of the 42nd escort taskforce, and the ship Nanning (Hull 162), ship Sanya (Hull 574) and ship Weishanhu (Hull 887) of the 43rd escort taskforce were deployed around the simulated merchant ship and kept on high alert. During the joint escort exercise, the two escort taskforces took turns to undertake command. They maintained close coordination, kept in touch with the "merchant ship" in real time, and conducted

BEIJING, Feb.5 -- The US used force to attack China's civilian unmanned airship, which was an obvious overreaction, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.  “We solemnly protest this move by the US side and reserve the right to take necessary measures to deal with similar situations,” stressed the spokesperson.   source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/05/content_10216604.htm

BEIJING, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sunday marks the Lantern Festival, the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, which are about family reunions. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, values getting together with family members for festivities. Family gatherings are the most joyful occasions, and reunions are the happiest, he said at the 2018 Spring Festival gathering held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has proven time and again that statement himself, and has long been making time for family on special occasions despite his tight schedule. In 2001, Xi, then governor of east China's Fujian Province, wrote his father Xi Zhongxun a heartfelt letter after missing the family celebration for his 88th birthday. Xi would spend time with his mother whenever he was available, having dinner, taking a walk, or chatting. Xi's w

BEIJING, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- "A strong buttress to the blue flag (of the UN)" was how Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), depicted China in late September last year. The UN official, who took the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China back then to acknowledge the country's contribution to promoting development and prosperity, gave credit to China's strong support of the United Nations one more time on Thursday. China is an important partner of the United Nations, Korosi said as he is visiting the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. There are good reasons for Korosi's comments. China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the first country to put its signature on the UN Charter, has been firmly supporting the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and h

Leaving Beirut, capital of Lebanon, all along the coastal highway southward and passing through bustling towns, you can see more checkpoints and armored vehicles of the United Nations peacekeeping force on road. In the south Lebanese city of Tyre about an hour and a half drive from here lies the barrack of the Chinese peacekeeping contingent. Since China’s first batch of peacekeeping contingent deployed to Lebanon in 2006, the Chinese peacekeepers have successfully completed all tasks assigned by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), serving to fulfill peacekeeping missions, passing on peace and friendship, and winning high acclaim from the UNIFIL headquarters, the Lebanese government and the local people. "There must be someone to undertake the task no matter how dangerous it is" The area adjacent to the Blue Line, the border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, is mountainous, covered with dense vegetation and with a distant seascape at sight. In the d

The members of the PLA Dalian Naval Academy yachting team take a group photo with award certificates in hands.   BEIJING, Feb. 2 -- The yachting team of the PLA Dalian Naval Academy had made good scores in the Commandant's Cup Sailing Regatta 2023 organized by the Sri Lankan Navy recently. The events of the competition hosted by Sri Lanka Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) were divided into two categories, the cup competition and the open championship. Each category involved two ship types, namely the enterprise-class and the laser-redial-class. The competition was attended by a total of nine teams from China, India, Italy, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and has been the first international yachting event attended by the PLA Dalian Naval Academy since 2020. The two-day maritime yachting competition was extremely intense. The Chinese team played with flexible adjustment of tactics and reasonable usage of the rules, while overcoming the difficulties such as short preparation time and lac

BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's indigenously-developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has entered the airworthiness flight-test phase, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced on Wednesday. Two AG600M airplanes, the firefighting model belonging to the AG600 aircraft family, have arrived at the flight-test center in Yanliang District in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said the AVIC, the country's leading plane-maker. This marked the official entry of the special-mission aircraft into the flight-test phase, which is a necessary step for it to obtain the type certificate, the AVIC added. At the flight test center, the AG600M airplanes will firstly receive modifications needed to conduct the various flight tests. A number of tests, including the static test and others, have also been initiated, said the AVIC. Codenamed Kunlong, or "water dragon" in Chinese, the AG600 aircraft family is being developed to serve emergency resc

The 10th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent to Mali carries out bunker construction mission in Jordan camp, MINUSMA Sector East. GAO, Mali, Feb.1 -- After 41 days of intensive work, the 10th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent to Mali completed the construction of bunkers in Jordan camp, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Sector East on January 30, with high standards. The construction has passed the acceptance check of the MINUSMA engineering department. The bunkers consist of containers and sand boxes, which require several steps in sequence including concrete pouring, container stacking, top plate welding and sandbag filling. After the completion of the project, officials of the MINUSMA highly praised and thanked the Chinese engineers for their hard work and the quality of the project. source http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2023-02/01/content_10215898.htm