International Army Cadets Week 2025 Kicks Off in Nanjing, China: PLA-Hosted Global Military Exchange

Introduction

The 12th International Army Cadets Week (IACW) officially launched on November 3, 2025, in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, eastern China. Hosted by the Army Engineering University of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), this prestigious event brings together military cadets from around the world to foster collaboration and innovation in army education. With cadets from 13 foreign nations—including Pakistan, Serbia, and Brazil—forming mixed teams with peers from eight Chinese PLA army academies, IACW 2025 emphasizes practical training and knowledge exchange over a full week.

Under the compelling theme “Impact of New-Domain Forces with New Combat Capabilities on Future Warfare,” participants delve into cutting-edge topics like unmanned apparatus innovations and strategies for modern confrontational warfare. This gathering, a cornerstone of global military academy cooperation, highlights China’s role in promoting international military dialogues. For those searching for insights into International Army Cadets Week, PLA cadet exchanges, or future warfare trends, this event offers verifiable lessons in military pedagogy and cross-border partnerships.

Why IACW Matters in Global Military Training

Since its start in 2005, IACW has evolved into the largest platform for army cadets worldwide to share ideas, enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign militaries. This edition builds on 11 successful prior iterations, underscoring its enduring value.

Summary

In a nutshell, the 12th IACW 2025 in Nanjing unites over 20 nations’ cadets for seminars, Model UN simulations, industry contests, equipment tours, cultural experiences, and ethical dialogues on artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare. Organized by the PLA’s Army Engineering University, the event runs for one week starting November 3, 2025, focusing on how new-domain forces—such as cyber, space, and electromagnetic domains—reshape combat capabilities. Discussions cover unmanned systems’ influence on future wars and winning strategies in adversarial settings, promoting deeper practical ties among global army academies.

This summary captures the essence of PLA-hosted International Army Cadets Week, providing a quick reference for educators, military enthusiasts, and researchers tracking international military cadet programs.

Key Points

Analysis

The 12th International Army Cadets Week represents a strategic pivot in military education toward emerging technologies. New-domain forces refer to non-traditional battle spaces like cyber, space, electronic warfare, and information domains, which integrate with conventional forces to create hybrid combat capabilities. Discussions on unmanned apparatus—drones, autonomous vehicles, and robotic systems—examine their disruptive potential in future warfare, drawing from real-world applications observed in conflicts worldwide.

Theme Breakdown: New-Domain Forces and Future Warfare

Participants analyze how these forces enhance combat effectiveness. For instance, unmanned innovations enable persistent surveillance and precision strikes, reducing human risk while complicating enemy defenses. Seminars on “winning modern war in confrontational environments” likely reference multi-domain operations, where integrated fires across air, land, sea, cyber, and space overwhelm adversaries—a concept echoed in doctrines from the U.S. Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and PLA’s own multi-domain precision warfare strategies.

AI Ethics and Military Applications

Dialogues on AI’s ethical norms and alertness challenges address verifiable concerns like algorithmic bias in targeting, autonomous weapon decision-making, and compliance with international humanitarian law. Cadets exchange views on market signals in military science, such as advancements in AI-driven command systems and hypersonic technologies, fostering pedagogical depth in global army cadet exchanges.

This analysis underscores IACW’s role in pedagogical military training, verifiable through its 20-year track record.

Practical Advice

For cadets, observers, or educators interested in similar events, preparation is key to maximizing International Army Cadets Week benefits.

Preparation for Participants

Review core concepts: Study new-domain operations via PLA publications or NATO multi-domain warfare papers. Pack for Nanjing’s November weather (cool, 10-15°C), including formal attire for seminars. Learn basic Mandarin phrases for cultural exchanges, and prepare talking points on unmanned systems from sources like the U.S. DoD’s Unmanned Systems Roadmap.

Tips for Virtual Observers and Researchers

Follow official PLA channels for live updates. Engage in parallel discussions on platforms like LinkedIn military groups. Document insights on AI ethics using frameworks from the UN’s Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons.

Networking Strategies

During Model UN and contests, prioritize cross-team collaborations. Exchange contacts for ongoing PLA cadet exchanges, building long-term international military ties.

These steps ensure practical engagement with IACW 2025 themes.

Points of Caution

While IACW promotes cooperation, attendees must heed verifiable guidelines.

Cultural and Protocol Sensitivities

Respect Chinese military customs: Punctuality, hierarchy, and modesty in discussions. Avoid sensitive political topics unrelated to the theme.

Health and Security Measures

Adhere to COVID-19 protocols if reinstated, standard for large gatherings. Secure personal devices against cyber risks, given the event’s focus on new domains.

Academic Integrity

Ideas exchanged are for learning; cite sources in future works to uphold pedagogical standards in army education.

These cautions promote safe, effective participation in Nanjing military events.

Comparison

Compared to its inaugural 2005 edition, IACW 2025 shows marked evolution. Early events focused on basic exchanges; now, with 13 foreign nations versus fewer initially, it emphasizes tech-driven themes like unmanned systems—absent in pre-drone era iterations.

Vs. Previous Editions

The 11th IACW (2024, inferred progression) likely covered similar but less AI-centric topics. Growth from bilateral to multi-nation teams reflects expanding global reach, paralleling events like the U.S. West Point’s International Military Cadet Exchange.

Vs. Global Counterparts

Unlike NATO’s Partnership for Peace training, IACW uniquely blends PLA engineering focus with cultural immersion, verifiable by its consistent annual success since inception.

This comparison highlights IACW’s pedagogical advancement in future warfare training.

Legal Implications

As an official PLA-hosted event, IACW complies with international norms. Participants require valid visas (e.g., M-visa for China), with no reported legal issues in prior editions. Discussions on AI ethics align with treaties like the Geneva Conventions, ensuring adherence to laws of war. Export controls on dual-use tech apply during equipment tours, but activities remain educational, not operational.

No speculative risks; all verifiable through standard diplomatic protocols for military exchanges.

Conclusion

The 12th International Army Cadets Week in Nanjing reaffirms its status as a premier venue for global army cadets to explore future warfare dynamics. By integrating unmanned innovations, AI ethics, and multi-domain strategies, IACW 2025 not only deepens practical cooperation but also educates on evolving military landscapes. As the event progresses through November 2025, it promises lasting impacts on international military training, verifiable by two decades of success.

For stakeholders in PLA international exchanges, this edition sets a benchmark for pedagogical innovation and friendship-building.

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