China says troop cuts will happen by 2017 and further military reforms on way
Focus will be on phasing out outdated equipment, simplifying administrative and non-combat roles and improving military structure, Defence Ministry says
A 300,000 troop reduction announced by President Xi Jinping on Thursday would be basically completed by the end of 2017 and further reforms of the world’s largest armed forces were on the way, the Defence Ministry said.
Xi made the surprise announcement at the opening of a military parade marking 70 years since the end of the second world war. The cut represents a little more than a tenth of the military’s 2.3 million strong forces.
The reduction would make the People’s Liberation Army more modern and better able to achieve the aim of China having a strong military, the ministry said in a question and answer statement carried by the official Xinhua news agency.
“The Chinese armed forces will be slimmer but more capable, and their composition will be more scientific,” it said.
The cut would not affect China’s ability to protect itself, the ministry said.
“Cutting troop numbers is beneficial for concentrating resources, speeding up informatisation and raising quality. We have the confidence and ability to deal with all kinds of security threats and risks,” it said.
