Chinese President Xi Jinping recently conducted a review of Rocket Force personnel, according to an analyst. News week Xi’s appearance indicates that the branch has regained favor.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force is the guardian of China’s vast strategic missile arsenal and nuclear stockpile. The high-profile inspection follows China’s test launch last month of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching most of the continental United States.
Rocket Force has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Last year, former commander Li Yuchao and other former top officials of the force were implicated in Xi’s campaign against suspected corruption and security violations. Li was replaced by a former navy officer in a reshuffle seen as unusual and that raised questions about Xi’s confidence in the branch.
During his October 17 visit to the unnamed brigade in Hefei, Anhui Province, Xi inspected the training exercises, was briefed on the tactical and technical capabilities of weapons and other equipment, and joined the troops for a group photo, according to a state media report released by the Eastern Theater Military Command.
People’s Liberation Army Daily
In a speech, he stressed the importance of maintaining a strong military in “the new era” and ensuring political and ideological discipline in accordance with the guidelines of the country’s Central Military Commission, chaired by Xi.
Xi said the armed forces must deepen their political training and rectification and uphold the pre-eminence of the Chinese Communist Party leadership. He further stressed the need to “grasp the root of the ideological problem.”
He then stressed the need to address the root causes of the “ideological problem”, “seriously investigate and combat corruption and unhealthy tendencies around officers and soldiers”, and strengthen the nation’s capacity to fight the war, according to the report’s summary. his remarks.
General Zhang Youxia, current first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was also present at the examination.
News week contacted the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request comment in writing.
“Xi’s visit signals that the long purge of the Rocket Forces is now over. That the current composition of the Rocket Forces leadership has passed the test and is now back in Xi’s good graces,” Wen-Ti Sung said, non-resident political analyst and researcher. at the Atlantic Council think tank, said News week.
Sung pointed out that the report’s mention of Zhang indicates that he is “politically secure,” despite past speculation about his involvement in scandals, particularly when he was head of the General Armaments Department of China. the PLA.
This department, disbanded in 2016 as part of Xi’s military reforms and replaced by the Equipment Development Department, historically worked closely with the Rocket Force due to its role in the development, acquisition and maintenance of strategic weapons.
Sung said Xi’s order to boost combat capabilities was not intended as a warning of impending war but as a counterpoint to “wasting energy and resources on facade unrelated to combat” .
“The fact that one of China’s new nuclear submarines was proud to sink in China’s internal waters probably added to the urgency of getting this message across,” he added.
China has reportedly lost its new nuclear-powered attack submarine after the boat sank at a shipyard earlier this year.
