Skip to content

Defense/Military - 6. page

Xinhua: Putin Responds to Trump’s “Paper Tiger” Remark, Says NATO Doesn’t Even Qualify as One

Chinese state run Xinhua News Agency reported the following on October 3:

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the 22nd annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi on October 2, responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claim that Russia is a “paper tiger.” Putin remarked that even if Russia were a “paper tiger,” it would be a tough one, adding pointedly that NATO “doesn’t even qualify as a paper tiger.” He said, “Well if we are fighting with the entire NATO bloc, we are moving, advancing, and we feel confident, and we are a ‘paper tiger’, then what is NATO itself?”

Trump made his “paper tiger” remark late September, suggesting that Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine made it appear weak. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov countered that Russia was not a “paper tiger,” but a “real bear.” Although Trump later walked back his comment, saying he would stop calling anyone a “paper tiger,” he repeated the phrase days later while addressing U.S. military officers.

At the same event, Putin dismissed Western accusations that Russia was behind recent sightings of unidentified drones over Danish airspace, calling them a NATO ploy to “stoke tensions and push for higher defense spending.” He criticized the alliance for “hysterically” warning of conflict while supplying Ukraine with intelligence, weapons, and training. “I just want to say: Cool down, sleep calmly, and take care of your own problems,” Putin said.

Source: Xinhua, October 3, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20251003/047831289d014fd6a9f9eed247bc7147/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600 Complete First Catapult Launches and Landings on Aircraft Carrier

Xinhua News Agency reported that China’s J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600 carrier-based aircraft have successfully completed their first catapult-assisted takeoff and landing training on the Fujian aircraft carrier. In earlier test missions, naval pilots flew these aircraft to achieve successful takeoffs and landings, confirming the strong compatibility between China’s domestically developed electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems and various aircraft models. This achievement marks the Fujian’s initial capability for full-deck operations and lays a solid foundation for integrating different carrier-based aircraft into carrier strike groups.

Since commencing its first sea trials in May 2024, the Fujian has been steadily conducting planned maritime tests, advancing smoothly in equipment debugging and overall operational stability assessments.

Source: Xinhua, September 22, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/20250922/fbe3cb9b4d7d4c3c9b6852760fec7f1c/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Commentary on China’s Xiangshan Forum

The Xiangshan Forum, organized by China, is designed as a counterpart to the Western-led Shangri-La Dialogue, promoting an “Eastern security order” under Beijing’s leadership and consolidating its network of preferred allies. The 2025 forum was held from September 17 to 19.

China’s Message
In his keynote speech, Defense Minister Dong Jun made the following points:

  1. Emphasized China’s commitment to upholding international order while firmly opposing any “Taiwan independence” efforts, stating that China is prepared to counter external military interventions.
  2. Criticized certain foreign nations for invoking “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea and citing international arbitration in ways that challenge fundamental principles of international relations.
  3. Highlighted the importance of maintaining a “UN-centered international system” as the framework for global peace and stability.

Reduced Prestige and Media Coverage
Analysts noted that this year’s forum appeared less prestigious than expected. Traditionally, a high-profile Xiangshan Forum requires three elements: a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping, a keynote speech by the defense minister, and front-page coverage by central media such as Xinhua and People’s Daily. This year, Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter was absent, signaling a downgrade in the forum’s status. Although Dong Jun delivered a keynote again, Xinhua’s coverage omitted photos of him speaking, in contrast to last year’s reports, which featured large images highlighting his presence. The official Xinhua release this year contained only 382 words, whereas minor events, such as a dinner hosted by Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, received nearly 600 words of coverage.

Lower Level of U.S. Representation
Foreign participation also declined. The Pentagon reported that the U.S. sent a defense attaché from its embassy in China, rather than a higher-ranking deputy assistant secretary of defense as in previous years. U.S. officials stated that the attaché’s attendance represented an appropriate level of participation.

Sources:
1. Radio France International, September 18, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/专栏检索/要闻解说/20250918-北京香山论坛-中国防长讲话更显强硬
2. Secret China, September 19, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/gb/2025/09/19/1088319.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Beijing Announces Incentives to Recruit College Students into the Military

Amid rising employment challenges for Chinese graduates, Beijing is encouraging college students to join the military. On August 28, China’s Defense Ministry announced the preferential policies:

  1. Family honor – Local governments provide annual subsidies and display honor plaques for soldiers’ families.
  2. Career development – Incoming or current college students can apply to military academies; qualified full-time bachelor’s degree holders or higher may be directly commissioned as officers. Outstanding student soldiers in units at or below the division level may be recommended for military school admission. All student soldiers have opportunities for promotion, long-term service, and advancement to non-commissioned officer ranks.
  3. Education & employment – Incoming freshmen can defer admission, and current students may retain enrollment, with the option to resume studies within two years after discharge. Student soldiers receive tuition compensation, state loan repayment, or tuition waivers. After service, they receive extra points or priority for college transfers, graduate exams, civil service recruitment, and military civilian positions.

Source: Xinhua, August 28, 2025
http://www3.xinhuanet.com/politics/20250828/9378479441b74f7cacf15846cd203a42/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Reports Surface on PLA Debate Over “Nationalizing the Military”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long upheld the principle that “the Party commands the gun.” However, reports suggest that the idea of “military nationalization” is once again circulating within China’s political and military circles.

One of the most vocal advocates is Liu Yuan, son of former CCP leader Liu Shaoqi, who argues that China’s fundamental problems stem from the military remaining a “party army” loyal to individuals rather than serving as a national defense force.

According to an independent commentator, at an expanded Politburo meeting in May, Liu Yuan called for reforms: abolishing the Central Military Commission (CMC) and creating a National Defense Commission under the state president, eliminating Party committees within the armed forces, and requiring soldiers to swear allegiance to the Constitution rather than to the Party.

Observers note that as Xi Jinping’s control over the military appears to weaken, Party and military media have stopped explicitly rejecting the notion of military nationalization.

{Editor’s Note: In light of widespread reports of factional infighting within the CCP, the push for “military nationalization” may be less about democratization and more about ensuring that the military does not align with any particular faction, or as a counter to the system of “(CCP) CMC Chairman responsibility (军委主席负责制)” imposed under Xi Jinping.}

Source: Epoch Times, September 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/12/n14593398.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics

China Reveals Espionage Cases Involving Foreign Recruitment and Infiltration

Russian outlet Sputnik reported that China’s Ministry of State Security has warned of increasingly sophisticated methods used by foreign intelligence agencies – including money, seduction, emotional manipulation, and intimidation – to infiltrate targets and steal sensitive information.

One case involved “Xiao Zhe,” an 18-year-old Chinese exchange student in Taiwan. He was drawn into a romantic relationship with a woman posing as a senior student, who later coerced him into passing on sensitive research after he began working in a classified defense laboratory. Over time, he provided nearly 100 pieces of defense-related intelligence in exchange for payments before being exposed.

Another case centered on Zhang, a former Chinese ministry official cultivated by a foreign diplomat while stationed overseas. Zhang eventually spied for that country, fathered two children with a female official there, and secretly hoarded more than 5,000 classified documents, including dozens marked top secret. In 2019, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for espionage and illegally obtaining state secrets.

The ministry also cited examples from Guangdong, where two nationals, Li and Huang, were recruited online with offers of high pay. Li was tasked with reconnaissance near military facilities, while Huang used his job as a wedding photographer near a naval port to take almost 400 photos of warships. Both were arrested and sentenced, with Huang receiving 14 years in prison and the confiscation of his assets.

Source: Sputnik, September 4, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250904/1067271620.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

Leaders from 26 Countries to Attend China’s Military Parade, including Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Cuba (Updated)

China has officially announced that 26 foreign heads of state and government have been invited to attend the September 3 military parade. On August 30, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto cancelled his trip due to domestic protests in Jakarta; but in the end he still managed to go to China to attend the military parade.

Analysts highlight that a notable feature of this list is the absence of developed countries. Most attendees come from Asia and a few other regions, while major Western nations are collectively absent; Japan and South Korea are also not included. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on August 31–September 1, but will skip the military parade, which most other SCO leaders will remain to watch.

Ongoing tensions between China and Western countries over trade, technology, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and human rights likely influenced their decision to abstain from participating. Serbian President Aleksandar Vuči and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico are the only leaders from European countries, but their pro-Russia stance contrasts with mainstream Western positions. Only two African nations – Congo and Zimbabwe – are attending, marking a sharp departure from China’s historically strong engagement with Africa.

People’s Daily has listed the 26 foreign leaders as:

  • Russia – President Vladimir Putin
  • North Korea – Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
  • Cambodia – King Norodom Sihamoni
  • Vietnam – President Luong Cuong
  • Laos – Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos
  • Indonesia – President Prabowo Subianto
  • Malaysia – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
  • Mongolia – President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh
  • Pakistan –  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
  • Nepal – Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli
  • Maldives – President Mohamed Muizzu
  • Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
  • Uzbekistan – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
  • Tajikistan – President Emomali Rahmon
  • Kyrgyzstan – President Sadyr Japarov
  • Turkmenistan – President Serdar Berdimuhamedov
  • Belarus – President Alexander Lukashenko
  • Azerbaijan – President Ilham Aliyev
  • Armenia – Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
  • Iran – President Masoud Pezeshkian
  • Congolese (Brazzaville) – President Denis Sassou Nguesso
  • Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa
  • Serbia – President Aleksandar Vučić
  • Slovakia – Prime Minister Robert Fico
  • Cuba – Miguel Díaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba
  • Myanmar – Acting President Min Aung Hlaing

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, August 29, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/pc/content/202508/29/content_30100885.html
2. Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 29, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508290174.aspx

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend