Chinese President Xi Jinping gives army its first order of 2019: be ready for battle
- Armed forces must be ready for a ‘comprehensive military struggle from a new starting point’, leader says
- Central Military Commission issues new guidelines to boost morale based on greater empathy and merit-based promotions
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday ordered the People’s Liberation Army to be ready for battle as the country faces unprecedented risks and challenges.
Xi’s speech was made at a meeting of top officials from the Central Military Commission (CMC), which he heads, and broadcast later on national television.
“All military units must correctly understand major national security and development trends, and strengthen their sense of unexpected hardship, crisis and battle,” he said.
At the meeting, Xi also signed off on the first military command of 2019, which will kick-start a year of enhanced military training and exercises.
China’s armed forces must “prepare for a comprehensive military struggle from a new starting point”, he said. “Preparation for war and combat must be deepened to ensure an efficient response in times of emergency.”
