Exovera’s report, Overview of PLA Military Diplomacy in April 2025, analyzes 37 Chinese- and English-language articles covering senior-level meetings, joint exercises, and military cooperation across five categories. April saw a notable increase in English-language coverage. Highlights include high-level visits with defense ministers from Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the UK; the inaugural meeting of the China-Indonesia “2+2” ministerial dialogue; and the Navigator Meeting of the Xiangshan Forum, which set the stage for China’s broader security narrative in advance of the fall forum. Military diplomacy focused on strengthening regional security partnerships and reinforcing alignment with China’s geopolitical goals.
The PLA continued to deepen military cooperation through bilateral exercises with Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Egypt, and Pakistan. Functional exchanges included a maritime consultative meeting with the U.S., joint ceremonial events, and international sports competitions. Peacekeeping activities featured prominently, with Chinese forces conducting MEDEVAC drills in Lebanon, explosive disposal for South Korean peacekeepers, and cultural exchanges in South Sudan and Abyei. Additionally, China delivered earthquake relief to Myanmar using four Y-20 aircraft, marking a first for international PLA Air Force humanitarian deployment.
