China to conduct massive reform to build a modern force

New “battle zones” will be created to focus on combat and joint operation command systems will be set up, it cited Mr Xi as saying, replacing China’s existing seven “military regions”, which have separate command structures and significant administrative responsibilities.

The plan also seeks to tighten the Communist Party’s grip over the 2.3-million-member military, with Xi insisting the People’s Liberation Army maintain “correct political direction” and stressing “the Communist Party of China has absolute leadership of the armed forces”, Xinhua reported.

The new structure would have China’s Central Military Commission in charge of both administration and command of the People’s Liberation Army.

The reform will focus on the current Soviet-style leadership and command structures, with Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun adding that four military departments, including logistics and politics, would be centralised into one streamlined mechanism.

Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a press briefing that the overhaul, which includes modernising the command structure of the world’s largest armed forces, would not change China’s “defensive” national defence policy, according to a transcript of his comments.

China has seven military area commands in Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu, Jinan, Shenyang, Lanzhou and Guangzhou.

The reforms were outlined after a three-day military conference that ended on Thursday.

No detailed information about the reform has been released, but experts say it’s clear that China has hit the launch button for a massive shake-up to create a modern force of worldwide standard. “Under the leadership of the Party, the army has gone from small to large, from weak to strong, and from victory to victory”, Xi said.

A new military discipline department and an audit office will be established as part of efforts to “get rid of the soil in which corruption can arise and grow”, Xinhua said. The independent and fair exertion of judicial power by military courts and procuratorates will be ensured with adjustments to the military judicial system. A “revolution” of the management of the military will be rolled out with modern management techniques so that the army is managed professionally, Xi said. Air force manpower will be reduced from 398,000 to 300,000, while the navy is to be slimmed down from 235,000 troops to 210,000. And different service commanders will work on the development of their respective services. We aim to complete the reform of national defense and the army by 2020. Xi also said the PLA would build a new disciplinary structure and a new legal and political committee to make sure the army is under the rule of law.

“The reforms will be implemented in a top-down and step-by-step fashion”, Yang said.