PLA vows support, contributions to military reform

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L, front), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, confers a military flag to Commander Liu Yuejun and Political Commissar Zheng Weiping of the Eastern Theater Command in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 1, 2016. Xi on Monday conferred military flags on the five newly-established theater commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces have pledged to support and contribute to China's ongoing comprehensive reforms in national defense and the military.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), conferred flags on five new PLA theater commands at a Monday ceremony in Beijing.

The troops have studied Xi's instructions at the ceremony, saying establishing the commands and forming the joint battle command system are strategic decisions by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the CMC to realize the Chinese dream of a strong military.

The PLA forces vowed to uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the army, act in line with the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and Xi, concentrate on improving its fighting capacity and be prepared to fight at any time.

Officers of the five theater commands committed themselves to building joint battle command agencies that are "absolutely loyal, resourceful in fighting, efficient in commanding and courageous and capable of winning wars."

Officers and soldiers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Strategic Support Force and the Armed Police promised to speed up efforts on their own development.

Officers of the CMC organs pledged to better serve the CMC, the theater commands, the different military branches and all officers and soldiers.

Party leading cadres and staff of military institutions as well as officers and soldiers of Transitional Work Offices also vowed to understand their roles and tasks, making their own contributions to the Chinese dream of a strong military and reforms.