Fall in line: PLA Daily orders Chinese soldiers to obey Communist Party commands
PLA Daily runs five commentaries in recent weeks, calling on soldiers to get behind reform
The military’s mouthpiece has ordered officers to toe the Communist Party line in a volley of commentaries apparently aimed at countering internal resistance to personnel cuts.
Military analysts said the commentaries indicated President Xi Jinping’s military reform was still meeting some resistance from vested interests.
The PLA Daily has published five commentaries in the past two weeks that call for the entire military to obey the party’s order.
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In September, Xi, who is also chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), announced 300,000 troops would be cut, taking the force to 2 million by 2017. Up to 170,000 officers are slated to be axed. The reduction is part of Xi’s push to turn the army into a nimble, modern force on par with the best of the West.
Hong Kong-based based military observer Liang Guoliang said the articles had hinted that some senior officials were trying to challenge Xi’s military reform.
The PLA’s spirit has been fading as many senior officials just care about their personal benefits
“The PLA’s spirit has been fading as many senior officials just care about their personal benefits, with some creating their own interest networks and groups,” Liang said. “It’s very dangerous if those interest groups join together to challenge Xi’s power.”
Beijing-based military expert Li Jie said the five articles indicated the PLA’s traditions had been severely undermined over the past two decades by corrupt officials such as former CMC deputy chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, who were brought down during Xi’s massive anti-graft campaign in the army. Xu died before charges could be brought while Guo is under investigation.
“It’s urgent for the army to root out Xu and Guo’s influence. The most effective measure the military leadership can take is reiterating the army’s traditional values,” Li said.
