Innovation ‘key’ to upgrading the nation’s military
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Xi Jinping yesterday highlighted theoretical and technological innovation as the keys to upgrading the country’s military and national defense.
Speaking to lawmakers from the military at the ongoing annual parliamentary session, the general secretary of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission said the future of the People’s Liberation Army hinged on innovation and reform.
He urged the armed forces to fully implement the innovation-driven development strategy, place combat capacity at the center of their work, and step up theoretical and technological innovation.
Military administration and personnel competence were also identified as areas to be improved. The PLA should focus on priority areas in order to kickstart across-the-board innovation and make the military stronger, Xi said.
He told PLA lawmakers that the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) is crucial to China’s national defense and military development, and urged the armed forces to uphold political integrity, reform and rule of law.
The president’s remarks came in the wake of a major military overhaul that saw the inauguration of a General Command for the Army, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force in December, and the regrouping of seven military area commands into five PLA theater commands in February.
Earlier this month, China announced its lowest defense budget increase in six years in the wake of rising economic headwinds. According to a budget report given to the national legislature annual session, the government plans to raise its 2016 defense budget by 7.6 percent to 954 billion yuan (US$147 billion). The increase last year was 10.1 percent.
Xi said that innovation was core to the competitiveness of the armed forces and would accelerate combat capacity.
In particular, Xi demanded a “military theory that is up to date, pioneering and unique.”
Greater efforts must be made to promote the evolution of Marxist military theory, he said.
“Sound military theory is a key part of combat effectiveness. A strong army must have a sound theory,” he said.
Meanwhile, the armed forces should work to turn cutting-edge military technology into real combat capacity, Xi said, adding that they must value the role of technology and push research in this regard.
A preemptive attitude toward military affairs is needed, and the military should establish “unique advantages in some key fields,” he said.
Military management with a systematic approach will help with combat capacity, and called for the review and improvement of management concepts, systems and procedures, he said.
The military must strive to be more professional and methodical, he said.
Xi called for more support of talented individuals, who can contribute to the upgrade of systems and policies that will advance military reform and innovation.
He also urged military officers and soldiers to contribute to the building of a strong army.
Innovation in the military should be included in the state innovation framework while military-civilian coordination in innovation should also be supported, Xi said.
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