Xi Jinping Commands Strengthening Strategic Capabilities in Cyber Defense and Space to Improve Nationa Defense Power

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also serves as the chairman of the Central Military Commission and the military commander in China, has ordered a comprehensive strengthening of strategic capabilities in emerging industries such as cyber defense and space to improve national defense power.

As reported by the state-run China Central (CC)TV, during the plenary meeting of the delegation of the People’s Liberation Army and Armed Police Force at the National People’s Congress (NPC) on the 7th, President Xi stressed the importance of the strategic competence of emerging industries in the national strategic system and force.

President Xi emphasized, “It is related to the qualitative development of the economy and society and the conception of national security and military struggle,” and “It has great significance in promoting the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.”

He repeatedly ordered the military authorities to “strengthen their sense of mission and responsibility and deepen reform and innovation” to enhance the strategic capabilities of emerging industries.

At the meeting, representatives of the People’s Liberation Army’s ground, naval, and air forces, strategic support units, and military science academies announced measures to improve maritime readiness, enhance cyberspace defense capabilities, utilize artificial intelligence (AI), replenish space resources, and innovate unmanned combat units.

After hearing the presentation, President Xi ordered, “We must coordinate preparations for military conflict at sea protect maritime rights and interests, and improve maritime management capabilities for maritime economic development.”

The message implies a need to prepare for potential military conflicts with several countries, including the United States, the Philippines, and Taiwan, among others, in the South China Sea. This area is currently subject to sovereignty disputes with Southeast Asian countries, as well as in the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan. However, no specific country or sea area was mentioned.

President Xi emphasized the need for “optimizing the allocation of resources and personnel in the aerospace field, and promoting the construction of our country’s aerospace system.”

He also ordered the development and advancement of major exclusive technology projects, stating, “We need to build a cyber defense system and enhance the ability to maintain national network security.”

To this end, he ordered the acceleration of securing high-level combat capabilities, deepening of reforms in the national defense science and technology industry system, and optimization of the structure of the national defense science and technology industry, emphasizing, “We must actively participate in the innovation and application of science and technology.”

Such an order is interpreted as China’s intention to actively utilize advanced technology emerging as a new security area to accelerate the modernization of national defense and strengthen security capabilities.

The Xi Jinping administration is committed to strengthening national defense, including allocating a defense budget of 1.67 trillion yuan (approximately $257.6 billion), up 7.2% from the previous year, to achieve national defense modernization by 2035 amid ongoing hegemonic competition with the United States.