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The Ministry of National Defense held a press conference on Nov. 27, at which spokesman Yang Yujun gave a detailed explanation of the national defense and military reforms.
Yang said the Central Military Commission (CMC) held a conference from Nov. 24 to 26 to arrange the reform measures. At the meeting, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the CMC and head of the CMC leading group for deepening defense and military reforms, proposed the strategic thought of comprehensively strengthening the military through reforms and unswervingly pursuing the path of building a strong army with Chinese characteristics. Xi elaborated on a series of important questions, providing fundamental guidance for the reforms. The meeting was a sign that deepening defense and military reforms had entered the implementation phase and would be a milestone in the development of the military.
Q: Why does China have to deepen defense and military reforms?
A: Having the “two centenary goals” and “the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” in mind, the central Party leadership, the CMC and Chairman Xi have made the strategic decision to deepen national defense and military reforms. The need to cope with profound and complicated changes in the international situation, to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to coordinate and advance the strategic layout of the “Four Comprehensives” and the task of building a strong army to better fulfill its missions all call for us to deepen national defense and military reforms.
Q: How were the deepening reform and military reforms assessed?
A: The CPC Central Committee and the CMC attached great importance to national defense and military reforms, in that Chairman Xi himself served as the head of the CMC leading group for defense and military reforms, presided over research on major problems in reform, took the lead to push forward relevant work and made a series of major proposals and decisions. The CMC held multiple meetings to study reform while relevant units organized multiple rounds of in-depth research on a large scale and through various channels. In total, the CMC held more than 860 panel discussions and seminars, visited more than 690 military and local units, and consulted with more than 900 officers and experts in service or in retirement. Senior officers of more than 2,000 military units above corps level took part in surveys while many enlisted personnel, experienced comrades as well as the people also submitted suggestions. The final plan reflected what Xi had conceived for national defense and military reforms, took into account opinions from various sides, drew on the wisdom of the entire army, responded to the concerns of grassroots personnel and laid a solid foundation for comprehensive implementation.
Q: What’s the general requirement for deepening national defense and military reforms?
A: This round of reforms will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress and the third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee. It is guided by Marxism-Leninism， Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the theory of “Three Represents” and the Scientific Outlook on Development. It is also part of the implementation of Chairman Xi’s speeches on national defense and military building. The reform, also guided by the strategic layout of the “Four Comprehensives” and the goal of building a strong army, aims to break down systematic, structural and policy barriers, to modernize the organization of the military, to further unleash the combat capacity and vigor of the military, to build a strong army that is commensurate with China’s international status, national security and development interests and to provide a guarantee for the realization of the “two centenary goals” and the "Chinese dream" of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.
