Advertisement
China’s top military brass vow to be on high alert and ready for war amid mounting tension with US
- On sidelines of party congress, defence minister stresses importance of military adhering to President Xi Jinping’s directives
- People’s Liberation Army ‘must focus on the future battlefield’ and boost transformation and innovation, says delegate
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
43
China’s top military brass have vowed to be on high alert and prepared for war as the nation faces mounting military confrontation with the United States.
Advertisement
The remarks were delivered during panel discussions on the sidelines of the ongoing Communist Party congress in Beijing, where a new leadership line-up is being formed.
Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe said China was running into “severe and grave national security conditions” and that it was important for the military to adhere to President Xi Jinping’s directives.
06:23
Xi Jinping charts China’s future course at 20th party congress
Xi Jinping charts China’s future course at 20th party congress
The military must implement Xi’s thought on “strengthening the military and improving its ability to win”, Wei was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua on Wednesday.
“The military has to maintain a high degree of vigilance, always prepare for war and resolutely defend the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Li Zuocheng, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, said the military needed to support the development of the nation, including enhancing combat readiness and military hardware.
The pledge came following Xi’s call on Sunday, while delivering a work report at the congress, for the PLA to move quicker with troop training and new strategies to become a world-class military.
Advertisement
Advertisement