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China closes military newspapers as part of reform program China closes military newspapers as part of reform program
(35 minutes later)
BEIJING — China’s armed forces have shut down newspapers published by the country’s seven military regions as part of a program to downsize and streamline the world’s largest standing military. BEIJING — So long, People’s Frontline. Adios, Comrade in Arms.
The papers, including “War Flag,” “Vanguard,” ‘’People’s Frontline” and “Comrade in Arms,” have been gradually superseded by official news and propaganda television and websites for soldiers whose access to the Internet and smart phones is restricted. China’s armed forces have shut down newspapers published by the country’s seven military regions as part of a program to downsize and streamline the world’s largest standing military.
The military’s People’s Liberation Army Daily said all the publications ceased publishing last week. The oldest, “Soldiers News,” dated from 1930. The papers, also including War Flag, Vanguard and People’s Armed Forces, have been gradually superseded by official news and propaganda television and websites for soldiers whose access to the Internet and smart phones is restricted.
China is cutting 300,000 personnel from the 2.3 million-member military, reorganizing its command structure and jettisoning non-essential functions such as arts troupes. The military’s People’s Liberation Army Daily said all the publications ceased publishing last week. The oldest, Soldiers News, dated from 1930.
The reforms also aim to strengthen Communist Party control over the military, as China becomes more assertive in pressing its maritime claims. The closures leave the storied PLA Daily as the military’s sole remaining daily publication, although state broadcaster CCTV also devotes an entire channel to the armed forces staffed by uniformed officers.
China is in the process of cutting 300,000 personnel from the 2.3 million-member military, reorganizing its command structure and jettisoning non-essential functions such as arts troupes.
The reforms also aim to strengthen the Communist Party’s ultimate control over the military, preventing any attempts to make it loyal instead to the people and nation rather than the ruling party.
They also come 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.
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.