Reform to make PLA more adept, combative

The Y-20 strategic transport aircraft, China's first domestically developed heavy-lift transport plane, is shown at the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in November last year.[Photo/Xinhua]

Editor's note: The Central Military Commission Reform Work Meeting was held from Nov 24 to 26 to map out a plan for deepening reform in the military. Zhang Junshe, a military expert, talks with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang on how the reform move should be interpreted. Excerpts:

Question: Why has the CMC launched military reform? What are its main objectives?

Answer: Through the military reform, the CMC aims to strengthen the military's capability so that it can meet the demands of the changing global situations. Wars in the future will be high-tech, with information technology playing the key role, which will require the commanders to respond to situations and make decisions quickly. Some of the reform measures serve this purpose. For instance, the reform is aimed at making breakthroughs in military administration and joint operational command, and optimizing military structure.

Q: The CMC will do away with some of its redundant administrative departments and non-fighting units. Is it aimed at making the military more efficient?

A: Exactly. Redundancy has always been a problem for the military. The reform this time shows the top leadership is determined to solve it. By being alert and agile, the leadership can also provide more positions and personnel for actual combat troops.

More importantly, the CMC has set a good example for lower-level administrative departments, which would encourage them to cut their redundancy, too.

Q: A new PLA Army leading organization will be established. What difference will it make?

A: It will make a huge difference. The ground forces of the People's Liberation Army have long been without a unified leading organization, and four departments are in charge of its general staff, politics, logistical supply and equipment. That reduces efficiency, because the Central Commission organs are also in charge of the whole PLA along with its ground forces. At the same time, insufficient coordination also lowers the development potential of the PLA Army.

With a new and unified leading organization, the PLA Army will strengthen coordination and develop in a more concentrated way. The Central Commission organs can also invest more energy in the construction of the whole military, which is their job.