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China creates 3 new army units to modernize military China creates 3 new army units to modernize military
(35 minutes later)
BEIJING — China has created three new military bodies as part of reforms to modernize its military and improve its fighting capacity. BEIJING — China has created three new military bodies as part of reforms to modernize its military — the world’s largest standing force — and improve its fighting capacity.
State television showed Saturday President Xi Jinping giving military flags to the leaders of the three new units — a general command for the People’s Liberation Army, a missile force and a strategic support force. Xi and PLA officers and soldiers sang the national anthem at the inauguration ceremony Thursday. State television on Saturday showed President Xi Jinping giving military flags to the leaders of the three new units — a general command for the People’s Liberation Army, a missile force and a strategic support force. At the ceremony, which took place Thursday, Xi and PLA officers and soldiers sang the national anthem.
Xi said the three new units had been created as part of a modernization reform and “to realize the Chinese dream of a strong military.” Xi said the three new units were created as part of a modernization reform and “to realize the Chinese dream of a strong military.”
China’s military is currently 2.3 million strong but there are plans to cut it by 300,000. He has promulgated the idea of a “Chinese dream” involving “the great renewal of the Chinese nation” and sees a strong military as key to this.
Xi has promulgated the idea of a “Chinese dream” involving “the great renewal of the Chinese nation” and sees a strong military as key to this.
The military reform comes as China has become more assertive in pressing its claims to territory in the East China Sea and South China Sea, increasing tensions with its neighbors.The military reform comes as China has become more assertive in pressing its claims to territory in the East China Sea and South China Sea, increasing tensions with its neighbors.
Other reform plans include phasing out old equipment, developing new weapons systems and reducing troop numbers. In a bid to show China poses no expansionist threat, Xi announced in September that he would reduce China’s 2.3 million-strong army by 300,000 troops. However, it will still remain the world’s largest.
Described by Xi as a “core force of strategic deterrence,” the PLA Rocket Force will replace the Second Artillery Force in controlling China’s nuclear arsenal and conventional missiles. The new Strategic Support Force will likely focus on cyber warfare.
Other reform plans include phasing out old equipment and developing new weapons systems.
The reforms also tighten the party’s leadership over the army. It used to be supervised by four headquarters, while now the army’s general command is controlled directly by the Central Military Commission, whose chairman is Xi.
The military has been the focus of an anticorruption campaign spearheaded by Xi. The two highest-ranking officers to be accused of taking bribes were vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.