Build world-class military: Xi

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to build world-class military forces by cultivating more high-quality and professional personnel, while underscoring the Party’s absolute leadership, a high level of technological education and innovation in the military human resource system.

Xi, who is also China’s president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee-the Party’s core leadership-on further implementing the strategy of strengthening the military by training and nurturing competent personnel in the new era.

China marked the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) on August 1. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended a reception celebrating the occasion in Beijing day earlier.

Cultivating a new type of high-quality and professional military personnel is highly significant for building the armed forces into a world-class force, he stressed, noting that the military has made historic achievements in talent-related work by deepening its human resource policy reform since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012.

Xi said that the volatile global situation means China’s national security faces greater instability and uncertainty. He called for enhanced awareness of potential dangers and responsibility as the People’s Liberation Army heads toward realising its centenary goal in 2027.

He emphasised that it is necessary to better understand the characteristics of military careers and talent development in order to enhance qualified personnel cultivation for a stronger army, and highlighted several points that should be firmly ensured in terms of the cultivation of military talents.

The general secretary also stressed the high importance of upholding the absolute leadership of the Party over the military in the whole process and all aspects of talent-related work, in order to ensure that “guns” are always grasped by those who are loyal and reliable to the Party.

He noted that the military should closely follow the evolving trends in modern warfare patterns, as strengthening capabilities to fight and win wars should be the primary goal of military talent cultivation. He urged intensified study of modern science and technology, especially military high-tech knowledge.

Xi also called for steps to overcome outstanding contradictions and problems restricting the military’s personnel work and for innovation in talent cultivation, including deepening the military academy reform, and innovating military human resource management by systematically planning career paths for all types of personnel.

A personnel system with comparative advantages in military careers should be formed while more supportive policies should be developed, he said. He also urged Party committees and governments at various levels and central authorities and agencies to offer more support in terms of sharing resources and making policies, including improving the benefits and welfare of veterans and facilitating the employment and education of family members of military personnel.

Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, also extended congratulations to all officers, soldiers and personnel of the country’s armed forces.

Persistent efforts

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed persistent efforts to strive ahead with diligence to realise the goals set for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during a visit to the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution.

Xi visited an exhibition featuring achievements made in strengthening China’s national defense and armed forces in the new era.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the CPC Central Committee and the CMC have been leading the armed forces in enhancing their political loyalty, strengthening them through reform and technology and the training of competent personnel, running them in accordance with the law, and intensifying military training for better combat readiness, Xi said.

Historic and great achievements have been made in this regard, Xi noted.

Noting that the PLA will mark the 100th anniversary of its founding in five years, Xi called for new advances in building stronger armed forces to shore up the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Aims to become modernised, world-class military

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will strive to become a modernised, world-class military that can meet China’s security needs and developmental interests, State Councilor and Minister of National Defence General Wei Fenghe said.

Entrusted by Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, Wei conveyed Xi’s appreciation to the uniformed personnel and the civilian staff serving the PLA and the People’s Armed Police Force, as well as to those who contributed mightily to China’s military development.

Since its creation by the Communist Party of China, the PLA has been dedicated to fighting for national independence and liberation, as well as for the prosperity of the country, Wei said during his toast to guests at the reception.

Over the past 95 years, the PLA has provided unflinching support for the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests. It has also made a significant contribution to world peace and stability, Wei added.

In the future, the PLA will strengthen itself through reforms and modernisation, becoming a world-class military that can meet the demands of the country and China’s global standing, he said. The PLA will also provide strategic support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee, publishes a public speech made by Xi during the ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA in 2017.

In that speech, Xi highlighted the CPC’s absolute leadership over the military, stressed the importance of military reform and innovation, and urged the country’s armed forces to bear in mind the sacred duty of fighting for the people.

“History has told us that reform, innovation, and keeping pace with the times, are the roads that lead to continuous progress for the people’s army,” Xi said. “Only by continuous reform and innovation, can the people’s army constantly gain development vitality and put itself in an invincible position.”