China’s Xi Bolsters Military Discipline and Information Warfare Capabilities.
In a move to strengthen the Chinese military’s capabilities, President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to enforce strict discipline and fight corruption within the armed forces.
This comes as the country undergoes a sweeping anti-corruption purge in the military, with several high-ranking officials being removed from their positions.
“It is necessary to strictly enforce discipline and crack down on corruption to ensure that the military remains loyal, absolutely pure, and reliable,” Xi said during his recent inspection of the military’s new Information Warfare Department, which was established in April.
The creation of the Information Support Force, which now falls under the powerful Central Military Commission, underscores the ruling Communist Party’s increased focus on military modernization and non-conventional forms of warfare.
“The status and role of network information systems in modern warfare are prominent to an unprecedented degree,” Xi told the unit’s officers, emphasizing its importance as a “combat force.”
The move comes amid a broader crackdown on corruption within the military. Since last year, China has undergone a sweeping anti-corruption drive, with at least nine People’s Liberation Army generals and a handful of defense industry executives being removed from the national legislative body.
Last week, the defense ministry announced that a top-ranking military official had been suspended and was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” further underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining a disciplined and loyal armed forces.
