At CPC Congress, Xi promises world-class Chinese Army

On a rain-soaked morning at the Great Hall, Xi said military mechanization will be achieved by 2020 and the application of IT in the force had come a long way. “The armed forces will be transformed into a world-class military by the mid-21st century,” Xi announced amid rapturous applause.

Xi, the chairman of Chi’s Central Military Commission, called for unflinching loyalty from the Army towards the party. Chi has the world’s largest standing Army of 2.3 million. Unlike other countries’ armed forces, the Army is political.

Xi has carried massive military reforms and decided to bring the number of troops to below one million. “We must enhance the political loyalty of the armed forces,” Xi said, adding that focus must be on combat. Xi, who at the last Congress in 2012 talked about “Chi’s dream”, used the term “tiol rejuvetion” several times. Xi, who is set to get a second five-year term as party’s General Secretary at the event, talked about the success of his anti-graft campaign. Xi also vowed to reunite self-ruled Taiwan with Chi.

Chi considers Taiwan a wayward province which it dreams to reunite with the mainland even if by force. The opening day of the seven-day Congress was attended by Xi’s predecessors Hu Jintao and 91-year-old Jiang Zemin.

Xi was flanked by the two leaders. While he was delivering the speech, a bespectacled Zemin was seen reading the work report by using a magnifier. Xi’s re-election as General Secretary — Chi’s top post — and a reshuffle in the all-powerful seven-member Politburo Standing Committee and other bodies will be the highlights of the event. However, this year’s Congress is primarily seen as an event where Xi, who has emerged as Chi’s most powerful leader in decades, will amass more power. (IANS)