President Xi Jinping has highlighted the need to enhance the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) leadership over the armed forces to ensure the successful achievement of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) centenary goal. In an instruction to a meeting on Party building in the armed forces, Xi, who is also the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), called for a review of historic achievements and experiences in Party building since the 18th National Congress.
Xi emphasized the importance of continuous efforts in advancing comprehensive and rigorous self-governance of the Party and ensuring strict discipline within the military. He also urged a focus on addressing prominent issues faced by Party organizations at all levels, particularly in maintaining the Party’s absolute leadership over the military and enhancing combat readiness.
The meeting, held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday, studied and discussed President Xi’s instruction. He Weidong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the CMC, addressed the meeting, highlighting the significance of implementing the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the CMC chairman. Other key areas of emphasis included sharpening the military’s combat readiness, strengthening the organizational system, improving conduct, enforcing discipline, and combatting corruption.