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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% 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% 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% to 45%. 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%. 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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