China orders the military to forge stronger ties with the public
- A new provision to come into effect on Sunday lays out the tasks to improve and support the relationship
- Close links with the public have been key to the military’s success in the past, analyst says
Fostering ties with the public has long been an official priority for the People’s Liberation Army but military regulations have in the past focused on the spirit of the relationship rather than the specifics of those links.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the “Provision for the Military on Works with the Chinese People” defines the “status, guiding principles and basic tasks” of the process, laying out key points and the regulatory requirements for the military.
It defines changes to the military structure, overall responsibilities, ways to improve logistical support for personnel and funding, and the need to promote standardised work procedures.
“The provision … centres on building a flesh-and-blood relationship between the Chinese military and the Chinese people, improving the basis for the military to win wars, and consolidating and developing unity between the two sides,” the Xinhua report said.
The provision, released by the Central Military Commission, will take effect from August 1, the anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
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