Second episode of new documentary reviews reform of PLA's joint command system

The second episode of a new documentary charting China's military transformation aired on Thursday on China Global Television Network (CGTN), highlighting in-depth coordination of combat operations to win with resultant forces.

The documentary titled "Aspire Higher: the PLA Advances" offers an unprecedented look at the reform and renewal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which marks the 97th anniversary of its founding on Thursday.

The second episode, "The Reform", reviews the PLA's joint command system, which is part of China's military transformation. Structural reforms are making the PLA more efficient and combat ready, along with advanced weapons and equipment.

The establishment of Theater Commands is a crucial step in China's military reform. It has ushered in a new pattern of joint combat operations.

As China's security situation has changed, there is a growing need for a transformation. The emphasis on building a powerful nation with a strong military was renewed in 2012, when Xi Jinping was elected chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Military Commission (CMC).

At the end of 2012, Xi began his first military inspection in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, where China's economic reform and opening up began in 1978.

As head of the CMC Leading Group for Deepening Reform of National Defense and the Armed Forces, Xi personally planned and directed the reform. This reform focused on the "Three Major Battles" -- one, reshaping the leadership and command system; two, optimizing the size, structure, and composition of the armed forces; and three, reforming the military policies and institutions.

China has established a new command structure in which the CMC exercises overall leadership, the Theater Commands carry out military operations, and the services focus on developing capabilities. In 2015, China announced it would reduce the number of active service personnel by 300,000.

The 19th CPC National Congress in 2017 further clarified the Party's goal of building world-class forces. The CMC Chairperson Responsibility System was finalized and incorporated into the Party Constitution.

Over the past ten years, a new system, new structure, new configuration and a new look have transformed the People's Liberation Army. The real test will be in actual combat, in a real war.

Second episode of new documentary reviews reform of PLA's joint command system

Wine companies in Italy are anxious as U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 20-percent tariff on the European Union.

Giulia D'Alema, head of a family-owned wine business in Italy's Umbria region, is facing significant uncertainty for the upcoming wine sales season following the announcement of tariffs on EU products, including wine.

Her family's 7.5-hectare vineyard has completed its major annual tasks — trimming, tying, and weeding — to ensure healthy grape growth and a fruitful harvest.

However, despite these preparations, D'Alema is troubled by the looming threat of new tariffs on Italian wines exported to the United States.

The United States is a key market for Italian wines, with exports valued at approximately 2 billion euros in 2024 alone.

Yet, the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump has put this vital export market at risk.

"If tariffs are imposed, U.S. importers won't be able to import my wine because selling my rose will no longer be profitable for them. I've already increased production specifically for this (U.S.) market, so now I have to find other ways to absorb this surplus," said D'Alema.

In the wine-producing region of Umbria in central Italy, it is the small and medium-sized wineries that are hit the hardest. Large enterprises can mitigate risks by adjusting their market strategies, but small family-owned businesses often rely on a single market. The imposition of tariffs creates a great deal of uncertainty for their operations.

In 2024, Italy's bottled wine exports to the United States reached 1.94 billion euros. According to calculations by the largest agricultural association in Italy, the Italian Confederation of Farmers (CIA), if tariffs prevent Italian wines from being exported to the United States, Italian wineries could face daily losses of 6 million U.S. dollars.

Trump's 20 pct tariffs on EU raise concerns for Italian wine export