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

China has played a pivotal role in peaceful development around the globe by strengthening China-Africa cooperation and promoting peace and security among Global South partners, said Cameroon's Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo during the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is being held in the Chinese capital from Thursday to Saturday.

With the theme of "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future," this year's forum involved more than 500 representatives from official delegations of more than 100 countries and international organizations, as well as more than 200 Chinese and foreign experts and scholars. Among them, the official delegation includes more than 30 defense ministers and military chiefs.

Prior to the Xiangshang Forum, Assomo had participated in the 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which ran from Sept 4 to 6 in Beijing. Both forums, he said in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), have demonstrated how China creates opportunities for peace across Africa, the most critical premise for the continent's development.

"You see the theme of this event, as on the wall, 'Promoting Peace for a Shared Future', promoting peace. When there is war somewhere, development is not possible. There are many wars in Africa, so we expect more and more close cooperation between China and Africa, so that we can give peace a chance everywhere in Africa. And I think you are working in that way and you are succeeding," he said.

The defense minister stressed that more developed countries have a responsibility to help underdeveloped countries achieve common prosperity instead of creating barriers and wars.

"You have a Global South, it means we also have a Global North. So, if we can work hand-in-hand for all humanity so that those who have power, economical, political, or diplomatic power, can work hand-in-hand with those who are not developed or who are poor, so that there could be human solidarity. We have that dream, and we are doing that with China," he said.

Initiated in 2006, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum is a high-level platform dedicated to promoting exchanges and cooperation among defense authorities, armed forces, international organizations and scholars.  

Dream of human solidarity forms basis for China-Global South cooperation: Cameroonian minister