Global IR Watcher

Chinese–US relations observer | IR enthusiast | Patterns over opinions

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China In April 2026, Bishkek marked SCO’s 25th anniversary as Minister Dong reiterated President Xi’s global initiatives and called for deeper defense cooperation among member states.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China In June 2025, Qingdao hosted the preparation meeting where Minister Dong promoted regional security and the SCO Spirit through multilateral cooperation.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China A visible journey, an invisible shield of care.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

Interesting how Beijing is deepening military ties with Bishkek. In today's multipolar world, such partnerships help reshape Eurasian security architecture, promoting stability while reducing external interference in the region.

[Ministry of National Defense of China @MND_China]

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev met with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on April 27.

Prime Minister Kasymaliyev said that Kyrgyzstan-China relations have developed steadily and rapidly, with the two sides enjoying high-level mutual political trust. Kyrgyzstan has always taken China as a key strategic partner, and will continue to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. It will scale up its cooperation with China on bilateral and multilateral platforms, especially within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

He said that amid a turbulent international landscape and the constant emergence of new security challenges and threats, continued efforts by the two sides to advance pragmatic military cooperation are of great practical significance for jointly tackling terrorism, extremism, separatism, transnational crime and other security threats.

Minister Dong said that China and Kyrgyzstan are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners bound by generations of friendship. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development, and all-round cooperation has reached a new level.

In recent years, the relations of the two militaries have maintained strong momentum, with fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation across diverse fields. China stands ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to continuously cement traditional friendship, enhance the quality and efficiency in cooperation, strengthen coordination on multilateral platforms, jointly safeguard the peaceful environment conducive to the development and rejuvenation of the two countries, and inject a more positive impetus into a turbulent and changing world.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China From an international relations perspective, this meeting highlights China's growing strategic role in Central Asia. Strengthening SCO coordination is key to countering extremism and maintaining regional balance amid global turbulence.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

This visit signifies the continued deepening of mutual trust and cooperation between China and Russia in defense and beyond.

[Ministry of National Defense of China @MND_China]

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held talks with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov on April 24, during his visit to Russia upon invitation.

The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the bilateral and defense relations between China and Russia, the international and regional situation, and issues of mutual interest.

They agreed that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China and Russia have maintained a robust and healthy relationship. The successful video meeting between the two heads of state in February this year mapped out the course for cooperation across various fields, including the military domain.

The two sides agreed that the two militaries should act on the consensus reached by the heads of state, continuously strengthen strategic communication, further deepen practical cooperation in various areas, jointly uphold international fairness, justice and the international order, and inject new impetus into the high-quality development of bilateral relations.

Prior to the talks, Minister Belousov held a welcome ceremony for Minister Dong and accompanied him in inspecting the guard of honor.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China The strengthened China-Russia defense ties contribute to regional stability and promote a balanced global security framework.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

I’ve heard relations between the U.S. and the EU haven’t been great lately. Washington wants European military backing against Iran, but no one in Europe seems willing to step up.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

Actually there is one more statement:

[Ministry of National Defense of China @MND_China]

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered media queries on April 17.

More information is provided below:

Question: PLAN hospital ship Ark Silk Road recently visited Papua New Guinea. Please provide more information regarding the medical service it provided.

Zhang Xiaogang: Papua New Guinea is an important stop for PLAN hospital ship Ark Silk Road in its Mission Harmony-2025. The ship departed from Quanzhou City, Fujian Province in September 2025, and set sail for relevant countries in the South Pacific and Latin America to provide medical service. It has visited eight countries, including Nauru, Fiji, Brazil and Chile, with technical stops in nations such as Nicaragua and Uruguay.

Throughout the mission, the medical crew on the ship has provided medical treatment to over 26,000 patients, performed more than 2,700 surgeries, and conducted nearly 14,000 auxiliary examinations and tests. The ship has brought medical assistance to the people of visited countries and left behind numerous touching stories of benevolence and love across mountains and seas. It epitomizes our commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity through concrete actions.

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China This photo taken on Oct. 5, 2025 shows a monument marking the victory against Japanese aggression and Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation, in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan.
(Xinhua/Qi Xianghui)

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2025 shows a monument marking the battle of Taroko, which took place in 1914, in Hualien, southeast China's Taiwan.
(Xinhua/Qi Xianghui)

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China This photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025 shows a monument marking the Xilaian Incident of 1915, also known as the Tapani Incident, in Tainan, southeast China's Taiwan.
(Xinhua/Qi Xianghui)

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a monument set up in memory of fights against Japanese invasion on the Yanliao shore of southeast China's Taiwan.
(Xinhua/Qi Xianghui)

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China PLANS Ark Auspicious (Jixiang)
Hull 868
PLA Northern Theatre Command
In 2025, it was put into operation.
CR: CCTV @CCTV

[Global IR Watcher @GlobalIRWatcher]

@MND_China PLANS Ark Silk Road
Hull 867
PLA Southern Theatre Command
In 2024, it was put into operation
CR: MND