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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left front), confers the military flag to Li Zuocheng (center front), commander of the Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Liu Lei, political commissar of the Army, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 31, 2015. (Photo/Xinhua) |
The People's Liberation Army made a historic reshuffle of its branches on Thursday, as military reforms ordered by President Xi Jinping gradually unfold.
During a ceremony held at the Central Military Commission office building in Beijing, Xi, who is also chairman of the commission, announced the establishment of the PLA Army Headquarters, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force.
The moves are a key milestone in the modernization efforts of the Chinese military, Xi said.
The president asked the Army to improve its information and joint operation capabilities. He urged the Rocket Force to enhance nuclear deterrence and counterstrike capacity and to strengthen medium- and long-range precision strike capabilities.
Speaking of the Strategic Support Force, Xi said the new branch is a "new type of combat force", and he asked it to improve the integration of the PLA's support systems and the links between civilian and defense sectors.
Based on earlier reports by PLA Daily, the Strategic Support Force will take charge of a wide range of support functions, such as intelligence, technical reconnaissance, electronic warfare and logistics.
Previously, the PLA's ground force did not have a headquarters, as its units were under the direct control of the Central Military Commission. The seven regional military commands were in charge of the detailed operations of ground units stationed within their jurisdictions.
The Rocket Force's predecessor, the PLA Second Artillery Corps, was formed in 1966 to manage the country's strategic missiles. Its name was given by then-premier Zhou Enlai in an attempt to keep its true functions secret. The missile force made its public debut in 1984.
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| Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the founding ceremony of the general commands of the Army, Rocket Force and Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 31, 2015. (Photo/Xinhua) |
At a Friday news conference, Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said the establishment of the Rocket Force doesn't mean China is changing its nuclear policy or strategy.
Reiterating the no-first-use nuclear weapons policy and the country's defensive nuclear strategy, Yang said China always keeps its nuclear capability at the minimum level required for safeguarding its national security.
The Rocket Force will act as a core part of strategic deterrence, buttressing the country's position as a major power, and an important building block in upholding national security, Yang said.
Lou Yaoliang, head of military strategy studies at National Defense University, said that although the PLA has been reforming for years, this latest round guided by Xi will be "the biggest one in terms of strength, scope, the difficulties it will meet and its impact".
He said the establishment of leading organs for the PLA Army is a highlight. In the past, more than 20 PLA central departments were in charge of various aspects of the ground force, leading to a host of obstacles in the effort to build a strong army, Lou said.
"The establishment of the Army Headquarters also means the PLA has begun to change its long-held Army-centered mentality," he said.
Yao Yunzhu, a senior researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said the establishment of the Strategic Support Force will integrate the support forces of different services to improve efficiency and save costs.
In another development on Friday, the Central Military Commission released guidelines on the military reform, saying reforms will focus on the PLA's structure and organization in 2016.
Xi announced in September that China would cut its troops by 300,000, with noncombatant agencies and their personnel being the primary target of the cuts.
Contact the writers at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn and lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn
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| Chinese President Xi Jinping (center front) confers the military flag to Gao Jin (left front), commander of the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Liu Fulian (right front), political commissar of the Strategic Support Force, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 31, 2015. (Photo/Xinhua) |
