Defense Ministry Outlines Regional Drills and Tibet Rescue Operations

China's Ministry of National Defense outlined a series of multilateral military activities and domestic emergency operations during a regular briefing on September 4, 2026. Spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin announced the upcoming 'Peace Train-2026' medical exercise in Laos and a PLA Army deployment to Russia for an ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus demining drill. The ministry also affirmed ongoing defense collaboration under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and reported on search-and-rescue efforts by over 700 troops following deadly mudslides in Gyirong County, Tibet.

The announcements highlight the PLA's dual posture: sustaining practical military diplomacy and non-war military operations across Southeast Asia, Russia, and Central Asia while maintaining rapid domestic disaster-response capabilities in remote border regions.

China's Ministry of National Defense highlighted upcoming multilateral engagements and domestic emergency responses during a regular press briefing on September 4, 2026, according to official transcripts released by China Military Online. Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin announced that the Chinese and Lao militaries will hold the 'Peace Train-2026' joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise in Laos later this month. Marking the sixth iteration of the series, the drill focuses on joint medical operations following a simulated super typhoon. Field subjects include joint search and rescue, casualty transit, epidemic prevention, and psychological support, alongside medical service clinics for local military personnel and civilians. Jiang also confirmed that the PLA Army will deploy personnel to Russia between September 7 and 12 to participate in a field exercise organized by the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts' Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action. The drill simulates multinational operations in areas contaminated by mixed explosives, covering battlefield clearance, mechanical mine sweeping, mine-detection dog employment, and improvised explosive device disposal. Addressing multilateral ties following Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan, Jiang emphasized that member states will continue expanding security coordination. Jiang reiterated China's commitment to using the SCO platform to implement the Global Security Initiative, noting regular defense ministerial meetings, 'Peace Mission' counter-terrorism drills, and institutional exchanges in military medicine and transportation. Domestically, the defense ministry detailed emergency mobilization following severe mudslides that caused casualties and disappearances in Gyirong County, Shigatse, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Acting on high-level directives, the PLA and People's Armed Police activated rapid response mechanisms. As of September 3, the military had deployed 726 personnel, 24 engineering vehicles, and 60 sets of specialized equipment, supported by more than 20 helicopter and drone sorties. Rescue units have cleared more than 13,900 cubic meters of debris, air-dropped 77 rescue personnel and 1.23 tonnes of supplies into core impact zones, and provided medical assistance to over 900 residents and responders.