Chinese military ordered to prepare for all-out conflict

Chinese President Xi Jinping at a meeting with the Central Military Commission on January 4. Photo: Xinhua.

Chinese President Xi Jinping gave the directive on January 4 at a meeting with top officials of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which was later broadcast on state television, according toSouth China Morning Post.

In his first command of 2019, Xi stressed that the Chinese military needs to "prepare for an all-out conflict" and that "preparations for operations and war must be strengthened to ensure an effective response in an emergency."

The Chinese president asked all military units to accurately understand the major security challenges and development trends of the country, thereby raising awareness of difficulties, crises and wars that China may face at any time.

Earlier this week, the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, declared in an editorial that “there is no more time to hesitate in preparing for war.”

The CMC has issued a series of directives aimed at boosting troop morale, saying it will promote soldiers based on individual performance and pledge to be more lenient with training errors.

Shanghai-based military expert Ni Lexiong said the Chinese military’s recent moves to expand its prestige may be intended to send a warning message to countries that want to block Beijing’s plans to unify Taiwan. China has always considered Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory, ready to unify by force if necessary.

According to a report on China Central Television (CCTV), Xi’s directive prioritizes strengthening military training, focusing on combat readiness, drills, counterattacks and military investigations. The order applies to all units, including the regular army, military academies and armed police, to ensure “overcoming all challenges and winning all battles.”