Military to launch technology drive
URTHER restructuring of the People's Liberation Army will be carried out to achieve a 'better relationship between quantity and quality'.
Military strongman Liu Huaqing told National People's Congress (NPC) delegates yesterday the relative strengths and 'focus of development' of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Second Artillery would be altered to reflect the requirements of 'modern defensive warfare'.
General Liu, a Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission in charge of research and development, underscored the military's determination to catch up with state-of-the-art technology.
'We must grasp military development trends worldwide and uphold the thinking of using technology to strengthen the Army,' the former head of the Navy said.
Military analysts pointed out General Liu's statement confirmed the recent trend of more investment in the Navy and Air Force.
Moreover, given the increasing importance of 'missile diplomacy' in China's Taiwan policy, the People's Liberation Army is allocating unprecedented resources to the Second Artillery, or missile corps.
The analysts pointed out the gradual demobilisation of about 500,000 servicemen would mostly affect the Army.
But the 79-year-old general went on to counter reports in Western countries of a 'China threat'.
He said the development of China's military power was 'of an appropriate degree' and outlay for defence was 'of a low level'.
Meanwhile, a group of senior members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) has tabled a motion to the Government for a 21st century version of the 'Atomic Bomb Plan'.
This was a reference to the decision by Chairman Mao Zedong in the mid-1950s to pour massive human and material resources into developing nuclear weapons.
The CPPCC members said that with the Chinese economy having crossed a threshold, the leadership should decide on developing key technology.
They praised Mao and his colleagues for developing the strategy to break the stranglehold 'hegemonistic countries' had over nuclear weapons.
