Amid US-China Tensions, President Xi Jinping Orders Full Military Training Mobilization

Directive for Joint Military Exercises Immediately After the Official Enforcement of China's National Defense Law on the 1st
Strengthening of Military Authority of President Xi under the Revised National Defense Law

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese Communist Party Central Committee General Secretary, State President, and Central Military Commission Chairman Xi Jinping has issued a training mobilization order to the entire military, according to Chinese media including the official People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency.

Xi's recent training mobilization order to the entire military has drawn attention due to its timing, coming as the revised Chinese National Defense Law officially took effect on the 1st.

According to the People's Daily on the 5th, Xi signed the 2021 Central Military Commission's No. 1 training mobilization order for the entire military the previous day and instructed the People's Liberation Army to conduct training.

The People's Daily reported that Xi's military training mobilization order aims to enhance the Chinese military's capabilities by preparing for war, intensifying military training, and establishing a new military training system.

It also explained that the purpose of this training is to improve the Chinese military's integrated operational capabilities through joint exercises involving the army, navy, and air force.

In the order, Xi stated, "Alongside realistic training, we must strengthen war and operational research, integrate operations and training, and prepare for wartime," adding, "We must be ready to engage in war at any time."

This training also emphasized the modernization of the Chinese military. Given that science and technology determine future combat capabilities, the military was required to strengthen learning of advanced knowledge.

At the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party held last October, the Chinese leadership set a goal of military modernization by 2027. This was the first time the leadership set military modernization as a goal at the 19th Central Committee's 5th Plenary Session. The push for military modernization is interpreted as the Chinese leadership's determination not to fall behind the United States in military power amid intense US-China tensions.

In particular, Xi's training mobilization order this year carries significant meaning as it was issued immediately after the revised Chinese National Defense Law came into effect.

According to the Chinese National Defense Law, which passed the National People's Congress (NPC) on December 26 last year and took effect on the 1st, the authority to formulate and decide military policies, previously held by the State Council, has been transferred to the Central Military Commission. This means Xi's authority has been strengthened accordingly.

The National Defense Law also added the terms "separatism" and "development interests." In times of emergency, Xi has been granted the authority and decision-making power over military and reserve mobilization and procurement of military supplies from private enterprises.

Ren Guochang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, stated at a press briefing the previous day, "Those who advocate China-US strategic competition are exaggerating China's military threat regarding the Chinese National Defense Law," and asserted, "The Chinese military is engaged in safeguarding the international order, maintaining international peace, and humanitarian relief activities." He further urged, "The United States should abandon the Cold War mentality and immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.