China’s military: Xi Jinping tells top brass to ‘transform’ training amid security challenges

Chinese president says ‘comprehensive and overall improvements’ are needed

Analysts say it’s part of push to strengthen combat training and get troops used to hi-tech weapons and equipment

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The PLA conducts a live-fire drill in Tibet in June. China is facing challenges including a protracted border dispute with India in the Himalayas. Photo: Weibo

Published: 10:15pm, 26 Nov 2020Updated: 11:59pm, 26 Nov 2020

President Xi Jinping has called on China’s top military brass to push forward the PLA’s modernisation by making “comprehensive and overall improvements” to training amid growing security challenges at home and abroad.

Analysts said it was the latest indication that China’s military focus was shifting to training and command, integrating advanced weapons and equipment, as it seeks to turn the People’s Liberation Army into a modern fighting force.

“There have been changes happening in China in national security, military struggles, missions, modern warfare patterns, as well as in the goals of defence and military modernisation,” Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, told senior commanders at a conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

“Military training has entered a new stage of all-around change, and it needs comprehensive and overall improvements. Strategic planning and design from the top level needs to be enhanced to push forward and transform military training,” he said.

President Xi Jinping addresses the Central Military Commission conference on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Xi’s speech came after the CMC issued new training guidelines that took effect on November 7. State news agency Xinhua said they were aimed at improving integration and joint operations across the PLA, and also highlighted the use of cutting-edge weapon systems.

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