President Xi Asks China's Military To Deepen War And Combat Planning, What For?

Illustration of military China. (Wikimedia Commons/Presidential Press and Information Office)

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged the military to deepen war and combat planning, to increase chance of victory in actual fighting, Xinhua news agency said, renewing its call to the military to safeguard China's sovereignty and territory.

President Xi said the world had entered a new period of turmoil and change, while China's security situation became more unstable and uncertain, according to Xinhua, as the leader conducted an inspection of the Eastern Theater Command.

The Eastern Theater Command, headquartered in Jiangsu Province, is responsible for the security of eastern China, including the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

Earlier this year, in his comments after securing a third term of office, President Xi asked China to improve its ability to maintain national security, convert its military into a "Big Steel Block".

The call by the Bamboo Curtain Country Leader to step up combat readiness comes as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrives in Beijing for talks aimed at easing tensions between the US and China.

"We must continue to think and address military issues from a political perspective, dare to fight, be good at fighting, and firmly defend national sovereignty, security and development interests," President Xi told Eastern Theater Command.

In April, President Xi inspected the Southern Theater Command based in Guangdong, whose scope of responsibility includes the South China Sea, most of which Beijing claims.

He also stressed the need to deepen military training and preparation, just as the Chinese navy has stepped up its assertiveness with training and training missions to counter the expansion of Washington's maritime presence in the region.