Beijing: Days after he returned from a visit to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be combat ready to win a “regional war” while also demanding absolute loyalty” from PLA’s top brass.
Xi directed the military leadership to make sure that all decisions from the central leadership are strictly followed and implemented. He also asked them to repose “firm faith” in the ruling Communist Party.
While Xi’s assertion is being seen as an attempt by the President to reassert his absolute authority over the Chinese leadership, the “regional war” emphasis has raised eyebrows in New Delhi as it comes at a time when Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a high-altitude military face-off at Chumar in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
However, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunyin insisted on Monday that there was no need to have unnecessary suspicion over the border issue, while pointing out that President XI and Prime Minister Modi have reached an important consensus on politically resolving the border issue through friendly mechanism.
On Sunday, General Fang Fenghui, PLA chief, said in a statement that all PLA forces follow the instructions of President Xi who is also the chairman of the CMC, which is the overall high command of the Chinese military.
Fang said the forces should update their operations to meet new goals and missions set by the CMC.
Meanwhile, the PLA chiefs of staff met in Beijing to discuss how to improve the efficiency of military command under new circumstances. Fang attended the meeting
Bureau Report
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