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Xi Jinping, the General Secretary and President of China, expressed the need to comprehensively strengthen the strategic capabilities of emerging industries such as cyber defense and space to enhance national defense power. It is interpreted that he is calling for the construction of a solid military to stand up to the U.S. military. According to diplomatic sources in Beijing on the 8th, China’s People’s Liberation Army can be considered a G2 military. In terms of the defense budget, it should be as strong as Russia. However, the top leadership of the party and government, led by Xi, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, does not seem to be satisfied with its status.
At the full delegation meeting of the People’s Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force at the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (equivalent to the Congress) held on the 7th, he emphasized the construction of a strong military, stating that “the strategic capabilities of emerging industries are an important part of the national strategic system and capabilities,” clearly indicating this situation.
According to Renmin Ribao, on the 8th, Xi emphasized the strategic capabilities of emerging industries, stating that they are “related to the qualitative development of the economy and society, as well as the conception of national security and military might,” and that they have great significance in promoting the construction of a strong country through Chinese-style modernization and the great cause of national rejuvenation. He repeatedly ordered the enhancement of the strategic capabilities of emerging industries, urging the military authorities to “strengthen their sense of mission and responsibility and deepen reform and innovation.”
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At this meeting, representatives of the People’s Liberation Army’s Army, Navy, and Air Forces, the Strategic Support Force, and the Military Science Academy announced measures to enhance maritime readiness, improve cyberspace defense capabilities, utilize artificial intelligence (AI), expand space resources, and innovate unmanned combat units. After listening to the presentations, Xi ordered, concerning strengthening naval power, “We need to coordinate preparations for military conflict at sea, protect maritime rights and interests, and improve our ability to manage the ocean for marine economic development.”
This can be seen as a message to prepare in advance for possible military conflicts with the United States, the Philippines, Taiwan, etc., which are likely to occur in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes are being waged with Southeast Asian countries and the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan. Of course, he did not specifically mention any particular country or sea area.
Xi also emphasized the need to “optimize the allocation of resources and personnel in the aerospace field and promote the construction of our country’s aerospace system” in the aerospace field. In addition, he ordered the development and progress of major innovative technology projects, saying, “We need to build a cyberspace defense system and improve the ability to maintain national network security.”
The party’s top leadership and government, including Xi Jinping, aim to achieve defense modernization by 2035 in the ongoing hegemonic competition with the United States. This is why they are committed to strengthening national defense, including allocating a defense budget of 1.67 trillion yuan ($252 billion), a 7.2% increase from last year. However, with a defense budget nearly three times smaller, it seems unlikely that the People’s Liberation Army will be able to surpass the U.S. military for a considerable period.
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