Chapter III Revolution in Military Affairs with Chinese
Characteristics
The PLA, aiming at building an informationalized force and winning an
informationalized war, deepens its reform, dedicates itself to innovation,
improves its quality and actively pushes forward the RMA with Chinese
characteristics with informationalization at the
core.
Reducing the PLA by
200,000
It has been the established policy to build a
streamlined military with Chinese characteristics. Since the mid-1980s, China
has twice downsized its military by a total of 1.5 million. In September 2003,
the Chinese government decided to further reduce 200,000 troops by the end of
2005 to maintain the size of the PLA at 2.3 million. The current restructuring,
while cutting down the numbers, aims at optimal force structures, smoother
internal relations and better quality.
Rebalancing the ratio
between officers and men. By streamlining structure, reducing the number of
officers in deputy positions, filling officers' posts with non-commissioned
officers (NCOs) and adopting a system of civilian employees, the number of the
PLA officers can be substantially reduced to optimize the ratio between officers
and men.
Improving the system of leadership and command. The
emphasis is put on streamlining the staff offices and the directly affiliated
organs at the corps level and above, so as to compress the command chains and
further improve the operational command system to strengthen the command
functions. The numbers of offices and personnel are both reduced by about 15
percent by adjusting staff functions, dismantling and merging offices and
reducing the numbers of subordinate offices and assigned
personnel.
Optimizing the composition of the services and arms of
the PLA. The Army is streamlined by reducing the ordinary troops that are
technologically backward while the Navy, Air Force and Second Artillery Force
are strengthened. The make-up of troops and the size of the services and arms
are optimized with an increasing proportion of new- and high-tech
units.
Deepening the reform of joint logistical support. The PLA
continues to adopt the system of joint logistical support at military area
commands. The scope of joint logistical support is further enlarged and the
number of logistical organizations and personnel are reduced while the rear
hospitals, recuperation centers and general-purpose warehouses formerly under
the administration of the services and arms are all integrated and reorganized
into the joint logistical support system. An integrated tri-service joint
logistical support system gradually takes shape, thus improving the overall
efficiency.
Realigning the organizational structure of military
educational institutions. The PLA aims at improving the structure and system for
educating military personnel in both military and civilian educational
institutions, and speeding up the establishment and improvement of a new
educational system. This new system focuses on pre-assignment education which is
separated from education for academic credentials. In accordance with the
requirements for running educational institutions intensively on a proper scale,
the PLA has optimized the system and structure of educational institutions by
cutting down on those that are not essentially different from their civilian
counterparts, and those that are more than necessary, and merging those that are
co-located or have similar tasks.
Strengthening the Navy, Air Force and Second Artillery
Force
While continuing to attach importance to the
building of the Army, the PLA gives priority to the building of the Navy, Air
Force and Second Artillery Force to seek balanced development of the combat
force structure, in order to strengthen the capabilities for winning both
command of the sea and command of the air, and conducting strategic
counter-strikes.
The PLA Navy is responsible for safeguarding
China's maritime security and maintaining the sovereignty of its territorial
seas along with its maritime rights and interests. The Navy has expanded the
space and extended the depth for offshore defensive operations. Preparation for
maritime battlefield is intensified and improved while the integrated combat
capabilities are enhanced in conducting offshore campaigns, and the capability
of nuclear counter-attacks is also enhanced. In accordance with the principle of
smaller but more efficient troops, the PLA Navy compresses the chain of command
and reorganizes the combat forces in a more scientific way while giving
prominence to the building of maritime combat forces, especially amphibious
combat forces. It also speeds up the process of updating its weaponry and
equipment with priority given to the development of new combat ships as well as
various kinds of special-purpose aircraft and relevant equipment. At the same
time, the weaponry is increasingly informationalized and long-range precision
strike capability raised. It takes part in joint exercises to enhance its joint
operational capabilities and integrated maritime support
capabilities.
The PLA Air Force is responsible for safeguarding
China's airspace security and maintaining a stable air defense posture
nationwide. In order to meet the requirements of informationalized air
operations, the Air Force has gradually shifted from one of territorial air
defense to one of both offensive and defensive operations. Emphasis is placed on
the development of new fighters, air defense and anti-missile weapons, means of
information operations and Air Force automated command systems. The training of
inter-disciplinary personnel is being accelerated for informationalized air
operations. Combined arms and multi-type aircraft combat training is intensified
to improve the capabilities in operations like air strikes, air defense,
information counter-measures, early warning and reconnaissance, strategic
mobility and integrated support. Efforts are being made to build a defensive air
force, which is appropriate in size, sound in organization and structure and
advanced in weaponry and equipment, and which possesses integrated systems and a
complete array of information support and operational means.
The
PLA Second Artillery Force is a major strategic force for protecting China's
security. It is responsible for deterring the enemy from using nuclear weapons
against China, and carrying out nuclear counter-attacks and precision strikes
with conventional missiles. By upgrading missiles, stepping up the R&D of
missiles, and promoting the informationalization of missiles and supporting
equipment for command, communications and reconnaissance, the Second Artillery
Force has built in its initial form a weaponry and equipment system that
comprises both nuclear and conventional missiles, covers different ranges, and
possesses markedly increased power and efficiency. The PLA Second Artillery
Force boasts a contingent of talents mainly composed of academicians of the
Chinese Academy of Engineering and missile specialists. More than 70 percent of
its active-duty officers have bachelor's degrees or above. High-tech means are
used to reform its training and shorten the cycle for new weaponry and equipment
to be combat-ready. It conducts missile-launching training and readiness
exercises in near-real conditions and constantly enhances its quick-response and
precision-strike capabilities.
Speeding Up Informationalization
In its modernization drive, the PLA takes
informationalization as its orientation and strategic focus. By adopting the
general approach of giving priority to real needs, making practical innovations,
valuing talented personnel, and achieving informationalization by leaps and
bounds, the PLA is actively engaged in the research and practice of
informationalization.
In the past two decades, the PLA has been
pushing forward informationalization in the field of military operations,
focusing on command automation. It has completed a series of key projects to
build military information systems and made great progress in building
information infrastructure. As a result, command means have been substantially
improved at all levels of headquarters and combat troops. Computers and other IT
equipment have been gradually introduced into routine operations. The ability to
provide operational information support has been greatly enhanced while more and
more IT elements have been incorporated into main battle weapon systems. The CMC
has approved and promulgated the Guidelines for the Development of Automated
Command Systems of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Regulations of
the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Automated Command Systems, defining the
goals and relevant policies and statutes for developing automated command
systems.
In the new stage of the 21st century, the PLA strives to
comprehensively push forward informationalization with military information
systems and informationalized main battle weapon systems as the mainstay and
with military informationalization infrastructure development supported and
guaranteed. In its drive for informationalization, the PLA adheres to the
criterion of combat efficiency and the direction of an integrated development,
enhances centralized leadership and overall planning, develops new military
theories and operational theories while optimizing management system and force
structure, updating systems of statutes and standards, and emphasizing training
for informationalization. The PLA strengthens the building of military
information systems and speeds up the informationalization of main battle weapon
systems. It also makes full use of various information resources and focuses on
increasing system interoperability and information-sharing capability. The PLA
takes advantage of progress in government and social sectors in the field of
informationalization, and establishes a scientific research and production
system and information mobilization mechanism that integrates military and
civilian efforts to promote the informationalization process of both the PLA and
the government.
Accelerating the
Modernization of Weaponry and Equipment
The PLA
regards weaponry and equipment as the crucial material and technological basis
for pushing forward the RMA with Chinese characteristics. In accordance with the
national security needs, the PLA accelerates the modernization of weaponry and
equipment, depending on national economic development and technological
advance.
In order to strengthen the capability to win local wars
under informationalized conditions, the PLA, in its development of weaponry and
equipment, stresses the importance of capstone design, persists in taking
informationalization as the leading force while advancing mechanization and
informationalization simultaneously, and strives to build a streamlined,
efficient and optimized modern weaponry system appropriate in size and optimal
in structure.
Giving priority to the development of new- and high-tech
weaponry and equipment. The PLA intensifies its R&D efforts and strengthens
its innovative capability through self-reliance. It accelerates the R&D of
new informationalized combat platforms and precision munitions, as well as
electronic counter-measures equipment, and puts more effort into elevating the
capabilities for precision strikes and information
operations.
Accelerating the modification of old and outmoded
weaponry. A number of old and outmoded weapons and equipment, which are backward
in technology, poor in performance and no longer cost-effective in maintenance,
are being phased out, and part of the active-service main battle weaponry is
reconfigured on a selective, priority and phasal basis. By embedding advanced
technology, developing new munitions, and integrating command and control
systems, the PLA has restored or upgraded the tactical and technical performance
of some current main battle weapons.
Continuously elevating
integrated support for weaponry and equipment. Taking existing weaponry and
equipment as the basis, the PLA emphasizes the organic and systematic
development of combat and support capabilities of weaponry and equipment. In
accordance with the development of main battle weaponry and equipment, the PLA
develops new types of general- and special-purpose support equipment, while
strengthening the maintenance and technical support forces with priority given
to new equipment and the training of personnel who employ, maintain and manage
the new equipment, so as to elevate the integrated support of weaponry and
equipment, thus satisfying the needs of readiness for military
struggle.
Implementing the
Strategic Project for Talented People
In August 2003,
the CMC began to implement its Strategic Project for Talented People. The
Project proposes that in one to two decades, the PLA will possess a contingent
of command officers capable of directing informationalized wars and of building
informationalized armed forces, a contingent of staff officers proficient in
planning armed forces building and military operations, a contingent of
scientists capable of planning and organizing the innovative development of
weaponry and equipment and the exploration of key technologies, a contingent of
technical specialists with thorough knowledge of new- and high-tech weaponry
performance, and a contingent of NCOs with expertise in using weapons and
equipment at hand. The Project will be implemented in two stages. By the end of
2010, there will be a remarkable improvement in the quality of military
personnel, and a big increase in the number of well-educated personnel in combat
units. The following decade will witness a big leap in the training of military
personnel.
In recent years, the PLA has utilized military educational
institutions as major platforms for training military personnel. Officer
candidates have, in the main, been trained in four-year colleges. A functional
transformation of military educational institutions is taking place with the
emphasis shifting from academic credentials education to pre-assignment
training. More and more military personnel with specialties for both military
and civilian use will be trained by regular institutions of higher learning. So
far, more than 90 such institutions have undertaken the task of training PLA
cadres. In implementing the Project for Strengthening the Military with
High-Caliber Personnel, nearly 30 key regular institutions of higher learning
have trained a great number of Master Degree students for the PLA, whose
specialties are urgently needed. Various training courses have been offered at
military educational institutions, including courses for young and middle-aged
cadres, high-tech knowledge training courses for leading cadres at the levels of
military area command and corps, and training programs of cross-service and
cross-arm expertise. Hundreds of military cadres have been sent to the central
and provincial Party schools. Division and brigade commanding officers have been
arranged for study tours abroad. The number of commanders has been increased
among the overseas military students.
Intensifying Joint Training
Adapting to the features and patterns of modern warfare, the PLA has
intensified joint training among services and arms at all levels to enhance
joint fighting capabilities.
Highlighting joint operational training.
In view of the future operational tasks, the PLA has given priority to training
with specific objectives, joint operational training and high-level command post
training. It has successfully organized a series of major joint operational
training activities. Studies and exercises directed at operational issues are
emphasized with additional attention to the development of operational doctrines
and training regulations, and the construction of network systems. By exploring
approaches for operational guidance, operational command and operational
training for joint campaigns, the PLA has improved the capabilities of
commanding officers at each level to organize and direct joint
operations.
Conducting joint tactical training. To meet the needs
of joint operations at the tactical level, units of different arms and services
stationed in the same areas have intensified their contacts and cooperation in
the form of regional cooperation to conduct joint tactical training. In
September 2003, the General Staff Headquarters organized a PLA-wide
demonstration on regional cooperation for military training in Dalian. That
event drew lessons from regional cooperation for military training and explored
new ways to conduct joint tactical training.
Improving the means of
joint training. After years of development, substantial progress has been
achieved in on-base training, simulation training and network training. Almost
all combined tactical training activities at division, brigade and regiment
levels can be conducted on base. All services and arms have set up their basic
simulation training systems for operational and tactical command. A (joint)
combat laboratory system of simulation training for all military educational
institutions has been initially put in place. A military training network system
has been set up to interconnect the LANs of military area commands, services and
arms, and command colleges.
Training commanding officers for joint
operations. The military educational institutions have intensified their joint
operations training. The elementary command colleges offer basic courses in
joint operations. The intermediate command colleges offer courses on service
campaigns and combined operations. The advanced command university offers
courses on strategic studies and joint operations. In order to bring up
commanding officers for joint operations, PLA units carry out on-duty training
and regional cooperation training, and acquire knowledge of other services and
arms and joint operations through assembly training, cross-observation of
training activities, academic seminars and joint
exercises.
Deepening Logistical
Reforms
The PLA continues to deepen, expand and coordinate
the reforms of its logistical system, and makes efforts to enhance the
capability to provide fast, efficient and integrated
support.
Pushing forward an integrated tri-service support
system. Experimental reforms of joint logistics started in the Jinan Theater in
July 2004. First, all logistical organs of the three services are integrated
into one. The Theater Joint Logistics Department or Joint Logistics Department
of Military Area Command, originally called Logistics Department of Military
Area Command, takes responsibility for joint logistical support for all
in-theater units of the three services. The percentage of non-Army cadres in
this department has risen from 12 percent to 45 percent. Second, all logistical
support resources of the three services are integrated. All in-theater
logistical support facilities such as rear depots, hospitals, recuperation
centers, and material supply and engineering facilities, originally under the
leadership and management of the services and arms, have been transferred to the
joint logistics system for unified integration, construction, management and
employment. Third, all logistical support mechanisms of the three services are
integrated. The in-theater logistical support for troops of the three services
is no longer categorized into general or special supply support. All supplies
are planned and provided by the joint logistics system. Fourth, all logistical
support channels of the three services are integrated. The multiple support
channels for troops of the arms and services have been readjusted and integrated
into one support channel of the joint logistics system, aiming at compressing
the supply chain and improving efficiency to form an effective system of
supervision and management.
Conducting technological research of
logistical equipment. Over the past two years, the PLA has completed experiments
to finalize the designs of 92 types of new logistical equipment, with the
designs in logistical equipment system finalized at a rate of 93 percent. A
new-generation logistical equipment system with all necessary specialized
varieties has been basically established with some of the equipment reaching the
internationally advanced standards. The Fourth Beijing International Exhibition
on Military Logistical Equipment and Technology was held in April 2004. More
than 340 manufacturers from 26 countries and regions took part in the
exhibition, and military logistics delegations from 16 countries were invited to
attend the exhibition as well as the international symposium on the development
strategy of military logistical equipment and
technology.
Deepening reforms of the medical support system and
logistics outsourcing. In May 2004, the PLA started in an all-round way to carry
out the reform of its medical support system based on pilot and expanded
experiments. The reform features categorized support, appropriate medical care,
unified management and treatment at designated hospitals, and treatment upon
presentation of medical cards. The PLA has established a new type of medical
support system in which medical service is free for servicemen, preferential for
dependents accompanying officers, and available to civilian employees in the PLA
through medical insurance. This has improved the quality of medical service and
enhanced the capability of medical support. The PLA has adopted the management
method of packaging wages for civilian employees and the policy of providing
resettlement benefits to redundant personnel. It has also introduced in an
all-round way such housing reform measures as monetization, market supply and
management outsourcing, stepped up efforts to cash housing subsidies, and
further enabled servicemen to purchase houses.
Innovating
Political Work
The PLA takes as guidance Marxism-Leninism,
Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of the "Three
Represents," adheres to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's
absolute leadership over the armed forces, puts ideological and political work
first, innovates political work in its content, approaches, means as well as
mechanism to give full play to the support and combat functions of political
work.
In December 2003, the new Regulations on the Political Work
of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was revised and promulgated. The
regulation maintains that political work is the fundamental guarantee of the
Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and the assurance for the
armed forces to accomplish their missions. It clearly defines political work as
a significant component of combat capabilities of the PLA, and stresses the
importance of giving full play to the combat function of political work.
Education in the RMA with Chinese characteristics is given PLA-wide. Wartime
political work is studied and rehearsed extensively. Political work is
strengthened in all services and arms as well as the units carrying out special
missions. Education in the PLA's functions and sense of urgency has been
intensified in the PLA so that officers and men are motivated in their trainings
and a tough fighting spirit and a good working style are
fostered.
The PLA relies on laws and regulations to promote the
innovation of political work. In April 2004, the CMC promulgated the Regulations
on the Work of the Armed Forces Committees of the Communist Party of China (for
Trial Implementation), which further defines the duties and responsibilities of
the Party committees, the standing committees of the Party committees,
secretaries and committee members, and further improves the decision-making
procedures and principles in Party committees. In February 2004, the CMC
released the Provisions on Strengthening the Education and Management of High-
and Middle-Ranking Cadres of the PLA, which establishes and refines the systems
for cadres at the regiment level and above to do self-study and review, to
receive thematic education, to take admonishment talks, to make ideological and
political assessment, to submit work and probity reports as well as reports on
important work assignments.
The PLA attaches great importance to
ideological and cultural work. In the period of 2000-2002, the CMC allocated RMB
140 million for the cultural work of grass-roots units. In recent two years, the
General Political Department and the General Logistics Department have jointly
issued a number of regulations in succession, including the Provisional
Regulations of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on the Management of
Cultural Equipment and the Provisional Regulations on Grass-Roots Cultural
Construction. Beginning in 2003, the cultural equipment supplied to grass-roots
units are covered by regularized outlays and managed as organic equipment. In
May 2004 a PLA-wide forum on art and literature was held, in which a five-year
plan was formulated for art and literature work in the military. The PLA
publishes more than 2,800 titles of books and audio-visual products every year.
All units carry out rich and colorful on-camp cultural activities to promote the
all-round development and enhance combat capability.
Governing
the Armed Forces Strictly and According to Law
The PLA
implements the principle of governing the armed forces strictly and according to
law, strengthens the building of the military legal system, raises the level of
regularization, and enhances the combat capability of the armed
forces.
The PLA has emphasized incorporating into laws and
regulations its good traditions in governing the armed forces and the
requirements of the RMA with Chinese characteristics, so as to regulate all
dimensions of the armed forces building. In the new historical era, the PLA has
promulgated and revised a large number of military regulations, including the
Regulations on Routine Service of the People's Liberation Army, Regulations on
Discipline of the People's Liberation Army, Regulations on Formation of the
People's Liberation Army, Regulations on the Headquarters of the People's
Liberation Army, Regulations on the Political Work of the People's Liberation
Army, Regulations on the Logistics of the People's Liberation Army, Regulations
on the Armaments of the People's Liberation Army, Regulations on the Military
Training of the People's Liberation Army, Regulations on the Garrison Service of
the People's Liberation Army, and a new generation of operations regulations.
The military law system has been basically established with regulations as its
main body. In April 2003, the CMC promulgated the Regulations on Military Rules
and Regulations to regulate the military legislative work. In January 2004,
according to the CMC's directive, the PLA and the People's Armed Police Forces
(PAPF) proceeded to sort out in a comprehensive way all their current
regulations and rules, and uniformly organize the compilation and printing of
the collections of military regulations and rules so as to provide legal basis
for strict governing of the armed forces. The armed forces have carried out
legal education in a deep-going way and conducted regulation training courses at
various levels to guide the officers and men to perform their duties in
accordance with the law.
The PLA has maintained the authority and
solemnity of the regulations and rules and administered troops strictly in
accordance with the regulations and rules. Incorporating the cultivation of good
style and strict discipline into routine military training and administration
has helped to sharpen the awareness of the officers and men in their observance
of regulations and rules. Through strict training, refined military bearing,
strict discipline and resolute and swift work style have been cultivated among
the troops. In August 2003, the CMC revised and issued the Outline for Armed
Forces Building at the Grass-Roots Level, which has promoted the regularization
of the orders in preparation against war, training, routine work and everyday
life at the grass-roots level. The General Staff Headquarters, the General
Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armaments
Department have twice formed joint working groups for overall inspection of
strict administration of the troops. In accordance with the CMC requirements,
the PLA and the PAPF have intensified rectification and improvement, and have
further promoted the implementation of the guiding principle of governing the
armed forces strictly and according to law.
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