Party's leadership over PLA highlighted by Xi

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for breaking new ground in enhancing the leadership of the CPC over the armed forces, in an instruction made to a meeting on Party building in the People's Liberation Army.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that concentrated efforts should be made in addressing prominent issues faced by Party organizations at all levels, in aspects such as maintaining the Party's absolute leadership over the military and ensuring stronger combat readiness.

He said that this would provide a strong political guarantee for achieving the centenary goal of the PLA — the targets set for its 100th founding anniversary in 2027.

Xi called for continued efforts in advancing full and rigorous self-governance of the Party and the governance of the military with strict discipline in every respect.

He Weidong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-chairman of the CMC, spoke at the meeting, which was held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

He urged efforts to strengthen Party building in the armed forces in alignment with targets set for the PLA's 100th founding anniversary.

The vice-chairman stressed the importance of fully implementing the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the CMC chairman, building up the armed forces' capabilities in combat readiness, strengthening its organizational system, and forging ahead with efforts to improve conduct and fight corruption.