China announces changes to military structure

World Today

President Xi Jinping ordered a reorganization of the military headquarters’ structure on Monday.

PLA FACTS:

Founded in Nanchang, Jiangxi province August 1st, 1927

2.11 million army members in 2014

3.25 million reserve troops in 2014

National Defense budget: $114.3 billion in 2013

Chairman of Central Military Commission: Xi Jinping

The reform will reorganize the four headquarters responsible for staff, politics, logistics, and armaments and replace it with 15 new agencies under the direct authority of the ruling Communist Party’s Central Military Commission. The agencies include seven departments, three commissions, and five other departments.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of the CMC, met with the new chiefs of each of the agencies on Monday. He described the reshuffle as “a breakthrough”, and called the new leadership system “a crucial step” toward a stronger military.

In the past, Xi has stressed on many occasions that “a prosperous nation and a strong army” are the foundations upon which national rejuvenation will be built. The reform is also a part of Xi’s blueprint of “building a strong army through reforms.”

On December 31, 2015 China unveiled three new units, the PLA army general command, the PLA Rocket Force, and the PLA Strategic Support Force at an inauguration ceremony in Beijing.


Heritage Foundation’s Dean Cheng on China’s military reforms
CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar interviewed Dean Cheng about China’s latest military reforms. Cheng is a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation who specializes in China’s military and security affairs.

The restructuring will contribute to the absolute leadership of the Party over the army, and enhance the restriction on and supervision of the exercise of power, a military official from China’s Ministry of Defense said.

Graphic: CCTV NEWS