China’s military risks losing wars and bringing millennia of shame upon itself if it drags its heels on reform, the Chinese army’s official newspaper said yesterday, adding that modernization of the armed forces was behind that of advanced foreign counterparts.
The People’s Liberation Army Daily published a series of commentaries warning of opposition to reforms and concerns over job losses.
In a lengthy commentary provided by the Chongqing military command, the paper said China had managed to narrow the gap with its peers in developed countries through existing reform programs.
However, “Generally speaking, our military modernization level is not commensurate with the security needs of the world’s largest developing country and the gap with the world’s advanced militaries,” it said.
China has too many levels of command, “backward” combat effectiveness and too many layers of bureaucracy, the paper said.
“This directly impacts upon and constrains our military in trying to raise the ability to win battles,” it added.
History shows that only those who embrace change thrive, while “no change means falling behind and taking a beating,” the commentary said.
“Looking at the situation broadly, whether the armed forces bring glory or disgrace ultimately rests on the basis of the country’s power and military’s strength,” it said.
“If there is no reform, once something happens and the armed forces cannot win, then they will be condemned through the ages,” it added.
There was no room for standing on the sidelines or prevarication, and those who spread “lies and slander” about the reform process must be firmly rejected, it added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) unveiled a broad-brush outline of the reforms last month, seeking to further streamline the command structure of the world’s largest armed forces, including job losses, to better enable it to win a modern war.
Xi is determined to modernize at the same time as China becomes more assertive in its territorial disputes in the East and South China seas.
China’s navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers, while its air force is developing stealth fighters.
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