President Xi Jinping wants more reforms in the People's Liberation Army. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more reforms in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in order to establish a military force compatible with the current international environment.
On Wednesday, the Global Times reported how Xi who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee reiterated his call for better Chinese military force.
He said that the country needs military reforms that would drive "a comprehensive and revolutionary change" that could cope with the changing international situation.
Reforms Needed
Xi first introduced the idea of reform in the Chinese military in 2012. Speaking to the 18th National Congress of the CPC, he emphasized the significance of defense and military changes.
Since then, Chinese lawmakers acted on his request. Following the conclusion of the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission (CMC) drafted a reform plan and created a group that would lead it.
The first draft of the reforms indicated the need for the establishment of the PLA Rocket Force, the PLA Strategic Support Force, and the general command of the PLA.
Aside from that, areas of command in the military had also been regrouped from seven into five theater commands and four military departments.
All these and more are expected to be implemented in order to make PLA a "mighty, modernized, new-style" military force, per a more recent report from the Global Times.
"Our troops originated from army, developed on the basis of army, and have roots in the army," said Xi, praising the Chinese military's "immortal and meritorious achievements."
Other changes to be implemented in the PLA include an improved military training particularly in certain skill sets that require development like speedy responses, precise strikes, seizing key forts, long-distance maneuvers, and sabotage operations.
The International Community
There is little mentioned about what sort of international situations that the Chinese military should be prepared for but a wild guess would dictate that it has something to do with conflict.
However, China-US Focus believes that the massive reform in the military force of China brings forth a positive effect on its neighbors in Asia by servings as a sergeant at arms in preventing devastating warfare.
Because of the reforms, China is now considered a powerful disciplinarian of those who incite conflict among neighboring countries particularly in East Asia where the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan Straits are traditional hotspots for conflict.
China also served as an effective pacifier for the extremist terrorism that plagued Central and West Asia, not to mention its active participation in rescue and relief operations in neighboring countries.
