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
