China's military regrouped into five PLA theater commands

BEIJING, Feb. 1 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred military flags to the five newly-established theater commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), presented the flags to top officers of the five theater commands at a ceremony in Beijing.

Commander Liu Yuejun and political commissar Zheng Weiping of the Eastern Theater Command; commander Wang Jiaocheng and political commissar Wei Liang of the Southern Theater Command; commander Zhao Zongqi and political commissar Zhu Fuxi of the Western Theater Command; commander Song Puxuan and political commissar Chu Yimin of the Northern Theater Command; and commander Han Weiguo and political commissar Yin Fanglong of the Central Theater Command all received flags.

The CMC Vice Chairman Fan Changlong announced the appointment of leaders for the five theater commands, which was endorsed by Xi. CMC Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang presided over the ceremony.

Xi called on the theater commands to keep their duties in mind and resolutely implement the country's military strategies.

The principle of a newly implemented structure, in which the CMC takes charge of the overall military administration, theatre commands focus on combat and the different military branches pursue their own development, must be resolutely observed, Xi said.

He further required building a joint battle command system that is "absolutely loyal, resourceful in fighting, efficient in commanding and courageous and capable of winning wars."

Xi said the move to establish the theater commands and form the joint battle command system is a strategic decision by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the CMC to realize the Chinese dream of a strong military. It is also a landmark progress in implementing the military reforms and building the PLA's joint battle system.

He said the five theater commands are responsible for dealing with security threats in their respective strategic scopes, maintaining peace, containing wars and winning wars, noting their pivotal role in safeguarding the country's overall national security and military strategies.

The theater commands are directed to unswervingly act under the command of the Party and firmly uphold the CPC's absolute leadership over the armed forces, Xi said, urging the troops to strengthen political awareness and the awareness of safeguarding general interests.

"The armed forces should maintain a high degree of conformity with the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, strictly obey political discipline and rules, and carry out their orders and instructions to the letter," he added.

The newly-established commands should concentrate on fighting battles, Xi said, asking them to study the mechanism of winning modern wars, grasp the law of employing military forces, speed up the development of a strategy for the theater commands and enhance the training of joint operations and command in order to win the initiative in future wars.

Xi urged the theater commands to improve their ability to command and strengthen joint command and action to complete the tasks of routine combat readiness and military actions.

The commands should be prepared to fight at any time and always be ready to act in response to the call of the people and the Party, Xi noted.

On behalf of their respective theater commands, the political commissars of the five theater commands vowed to firmly listen to the command of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and Xi, and to perform their missions mandated by the party and the people.

Other CMC members and representatives from various military units attended Monday's ceremony.

China's military reform is aimed at establishing a three-tier "the CMC - theater commands - troops" command system and an administration system that goes from the CMC through various services to the troops.

Before the reshuffle, China had seven military area commands headquartered in Shenyang, Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Lanzhou, which will no longer be maintained, said China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun during a press conference on Monday.

The five theater commands, under the administration of the CMC, are formed based on the functions and organs of the former military area commands, with the functions of command and logistics support improved, said Yang.

The Army, Navy and Air force have already been set up within the theater commands, according to Yang.

The newly-established commands are the top joint battle command agencies, performing the power and duties of taking unified command and control of the troops as entrusted by the CMC, said Yang.

To ensure a smooth and effective command system and proper functioning of the commands, the PLA has vowed efforts on streamlining commanding relations and procedures, Yang added.

The spokesperson also underlined that the reorganization of China's military administration structure and command system will not affect the country's defense policy, which is "defensive in nature."

The move to establish the theater commands is determined by China's national security environment and the responsibilities taken by its military, Yang said, adding that it will facilitate the building of the joint battle system and strengthen joint command.

"(The five theater commands) will better safeguard national sovereignty, security and interests while upholding regional stability and world peace," said Yang.

According to Yang, the PLA has decided to establish a Transitional Work Office to serve veterans cadres and wounded or disabled officers, ensuring a smooth transition between the former and newly implemented structure and the stability of the military.