Xi for complete party control over military
BEIJING: President Xi Jinping has called for the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) absolute control over the country’s two-million strong military in his first public statement following a closed-door retreat of the party’s top leaders last week.
Xi underscored the Communist Party’s control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at a meeting that was widely publicised in state media.
Into his second term following the abolition of the two-term tenure, Xi talked about ensuring a “solid political guarantee for the building of a strong military”. He is also chairperson of the elite Central Military Commission.
The whole military should comprehensively implement the “Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”, a new theory put forward by the president and the spirit of the once-in-five-years Party National Congress held this year, he said.
“Also, the absolute Party leadership over the armed forces must be upheld, the full and strict Party governance must be exercised, and the military's war preparedness and combat capability must be highlighted,” Xi said.
“Comprehensive and profound changes regarding the Party leadership and Party building in the military have taken place, giving a strong political underpinning for the historic achievements and changes in the cause of building a strong military.”
He added: “We have to be persistent and make a big effort to solve problems and conflicts, as well as meet the shortfalls in the party’s leadership over the military. We have to have even tighter party control...in the military.”
Xi also called for efforts to improve Party conduct and combat corruption within the armed forces.
Political scientist Chen Daoyin told Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post: “The Communist Party’s power is built on its grip on the military and propaganda. The meeting sends a message that Xi has a firm hold on power...He called for discipline as strong as iron. He is presenting a strong image.”