Innovation crucial for PLA, Chinese president tells military NPC delegates gathered in Beijing
Work out civilian partnerships and devise ways to attract top talent, Xi Jinping tells officers
President Xi Jinping has called for better integration between the military and the civilian sector to boost innovation in both the army and the nation.
Xi, who is also chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he attended a discussion among military delegates to the National People’s Congress on Sunday, Xinhua reported.
He urged the armed forces to fully implement the innovation-driven development strategy, put combat capacity at the centre of its work, and step up theoretical and technological innovation.
The People’s Liberation Army underwent a sweeping overhaul that saw the inauguration of a general command for the army,the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force in December, and the regrouping of seven military area commands into five theatre commands last month.
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At a key Communist Party meeting in October, Xi identified innovation as the most critical of five concepts for development, followed by coordination, “green” development, opening up and sharing.
China is pursuing innovation as a source for new growth to offset a slowdown in manufacturing and exports.
Innovation in the military should be part of the overall national approach, Xi said. A new national defence innovation mechanism should be explored to advance the deepening development of military-civilian integration, Xi said.
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“It mainly means the military needs to take more advantage of civilian power in development of technology, from theory building to armour manufacturing,” said Ni Lexiong, Shanghai-based naval expert.
But one obstacle to integration was the handling of classified information, Ni said. The military would need to strike a balance to ensure sensitive information remained secure but contractors could still work efficiently.
Xi also said the military must attach high importance to technological development in military strategy and take the initiative to make arrangements and plans in advance.
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The president made military reform and innovation a priority to attract talented people. He told the PLA to come up with policies and establish a system to cultivate, import, retain and use highly skilled members.
Central government agencies, Communist Party committees and the government at all levels must support with enthusiasm the national defence and army building and prepare for military struggle, Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
