Defense/Military - 11. page

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced on May 28 via social media platform X that China is interfering in Czech society through manipulation, propaganda, and cyberattacks, Russian state media outlet Sputnik News reported. He specifically cited recent attacks targeting the Czech Foreign Ministry and revealed that he had summoned the Chinese ambassador to express that such hostile actions would have serious consequences for bilateral relations.

The Czech government has officially attributed responsibility for malicious cyberattacks against a non-classified network of the Czech Foreign Ministry to China. These attacks have been ongoing since 2022 and were allegedly carried out by APT31, a cyber espionage group publicly linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.

The accusations have drawn strong international support for the Czech Republic. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas issued a statement “strongly condemning the malicious cyber activities” and urging China to “immediately cease such behavior.” The EU warned it was “prepared to take further measures in response” while reaffirming “firm support” for the Czech Republic.

NATO expressed growing concern about what it called a “rapidly expanding pattern of destructive behavior” apparently aimed at “undermining alliance stability.” The U.S. Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy described the incident as “another example of harmful cyber activity originating from APT31” and urged China to act responsibly in cyberspace.

China has strongly rejected these allegations. The Chinese Embassy in Prague spokesperson expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to what they termed “false accusations.” China argued that cyber attribution should be based on solid evidence and that the Czech Republic was making unfounded claims without proof. Chinese officials have previously conducted technical investigations regarding APT31 and maintain that the evidence is insufficient and lacks professionalism.

China’s Mission to the EU similarly dismissed the statements from EU and NATO as “full of speculation and groundless accusations,” reiterating China’s position that cybersecurity issues should be addressed through bilateral dialogue and judicial cooperation rather than being exploited for geopolitical purposes.

Source: Sputnik News, May 29, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250529/1065733252.html

The Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin announced on May 15 that the Central Military Commission has decided to reorganize existing military academies to establish three new military educational institutions. This restructuring aims to develop military talent in specialized fields such as information warfare.

The three newly established academies are: Information Support Forces Engineering University (信息支援部队工程大学), Army Service Arms University (陆军兵种大学), Joint Logistics Support Forces Engineering University (联勤保障部队工程大学).

According to Jiang, this adjustment implements the directives from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee and adapts to changes in military branch structure and talent development needs.

The Information Support Forces Engineering University will be formed by merging the Information and Communications College of the National University of Defense Technology (国防科技大学信息通信学院) with the Communications NCO School of the Army Engineering University of PLA (陆军工程大学通信士官学校). Its main campus will be located in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

The Army Service Arms University will be established by combining the Army Academy of Armored Forces (陆军装甲兵学院) and the PLA Army Academy of Artillery and Air Defense (陆军炮兵防空兵学院), with its headquarters in Hefei, Anhui Province.

The Joint Logistics Support Forces Engineering University will integrate the Army Logistics Academy (陆军勤务学院), the Army Military Transportation University (陆军军事交通学院), and its subordinate Automotive NCO School (汽车士官学校). This institution will be based in Chongqing.

Jiang mentioned that details regarding academic programs and enrollment quotas for these new military academies will be released in conjunction with annual recruitment plans.

All three institutions will be open to regular high school graduates.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), May 15, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202505150238.aspx

The Chinese Ministry of Education recently published a document titled “Notice on Promoting Military Recruitment Among University Students for 2025.” The notice said that “university students are considered a crucial talent pool for building a world-class military.” It encourages graduating students to enlist and requires local governments and universities to “enhance their political awareness and ensure effective implementation of such recruitment.”

Specific recruitment strategies listed in the document include:

1. Strengthening Specialized Information Sessions
   Universities and local conscription offices should collaborate to conduct extensive “Military Recruitment Promotion on Campus” activities. These include policy briefings, military open days, and experience camps to ensure comprehensive outreach. They should utilize veteran university students, form “Military Recruitment Lecture Teams,” and conduct personalized, face-to-face promotional campaigns.
2. Building an All-Media Communication Network
   Authorities should leverage official platforms such as the National Recruitment Network and use university websites, WeChat public accounts, and short video platforms to create engaging promotional content, including microfilms, animations, and live interviews. The creation of online cultural works reflecting military life is encouraged to enhance the impact of recruitment messaging.
3. Creating Immersive Promotional Environments
   Universities should set up dedicated recruitment promotion areas in key locations such as main campus roads, cafeterias, and dormitory areas. This includes broadcasting recruitment videos, displaying banners, posting posters, and distributing brochures to foster a strong recruitment atmosphere. Additionally, recruitment content should be integrated into freshman military training, campus job fairs, and graduation ceremonies for targeted mobilization.

{Editor’s Note: Some have said that the Chinese Communist Party is now promoting military enlistment to college graduates because graduates are having a hard time finding jobs in the current Chinese economy.}

Source: Ministry of Education website
http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A15/s3263/202504/t20250409_1186607.html

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) website has published an article on a new “integrated training platform” at the PLA’s southern theater air force base. Below are excerpts from the article:

A military base under the Southern Theater Air Force has established an integrated training platform. By using scenario-based design, modular groupings, military system-based confrontation, mission-oriented command, and autonomous coordination, the base aims to improve the effectiveness of combined operations and enhance the quality and efficiency of training. This initiative further promotes regularization, diversification, and combat realism in integrated training.

The way the training works is that one military branch leads the efforts with multiple branches coordinating. In this base, the air force branch leads the training.

Before each training session, the base headquarters sets the operational scenario and mission objectives. Air force units in the region take the lead in integrating training content, forces, areas, schedules, and organizational needs across various military branches. They carefully design typical missions and confrontation styles, clearly define training topics, participating forces, designated areas, logistical support, and implementation methods. Participating units collaboratively develop training plans, coordinating both regional and external multi-branch military forces.

Training activities include various methods of joint war planning, contingency mission planning, and rolling and updating plans. Relying on a “cloud + terminal” command system, the base enables real-time situational awareness, dynamic plan adjustments, and precise outcome evaluations. This helps units explore solutions to challenges in system-based training, continuously improve training models, and enhance combat capabilities.

Source: PLA Website, March 27, 2025
http://www.81.cn/jwtt/16377075.html