China Briefing | As China beats its war drum, who should hear its call?

Is China going to war any time soon?

That is the question on the minds of more and more people outside China over the past few months.

The People’s Liberation Army, the world’s biggest armed forces, over the past year or so, has featured prominently in the mainland Chinese newspapers, television reports, and other publications, with increasing regularity, highlighting their military drills and latest weaponry. The country’s most modern fighters and bombers, and warships have also made regular long-range exercises close to the sensitive areas such as the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait.

Why a stronger Xi Jinping is taking a gentler approach in China’s foreign affairs

President Xi Jinping, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA’s highest command, has made frequent inspections of army, navy and air force units, each time placing great emphasis on urging the rank and file to strengthen training and improve its war-winning capability.

On an icy morning of January 3, Xi, dressed in military fatigues, presided over a grand display of military strength at the country’s first mobilisation meeting for the whole armed forces.

More than 7,000 armed officers and soldiers were present, along with about 300 tanks and other armaments, to hear Xi’s calls for real combat training and firmly grasping the might to win wars, Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, the live broadcast was beamed to 4,000 other venues of army, navy, and air forces units throughout the country.