Defense/Military

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, inspected a Rocket Force unit on the 17th, emphasizing the need to strengthen crisis awareness and combat readiness.

During his visit to a Rocket Force brigade in Hefei, Xi observed weapons equipment demonstrations and troop training exercises. In his remarks, Xi stressed maintaining absolute Party leadership over the military and ensuring troops follow orders from the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission.

He also emphasized strengthening grass-roots Party organizations, investigating and dealing with corruption issues, enhancing combat preparedness and operational capabilities, and adapting to modern warfare changes by focusing on new equipment, skills, and tactics.

The visit came shortly after China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” military exercises near Taiwan on the 14th, and following Xi’s inspection of Dongshan Island in Fujian province, a location with historical military significance in cross-strait relations. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia accompanied the inspection. The timing of these visits – to Dongshan Island and then the Rocket Force – appears significant given recent military activities in the region.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 19, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410190145.aspx

China is intensifying its national defense education, starting from primary school through university, according to a recent report by French newspaper Libération. This move aims to instill discipline and patriotism in the younger generation, preparing them for potential future conflicts.

The revised national defense education law introduces a tiered approach:

– Primary school students will receive basic defense awareness
– Middle school students will learn fundamental knowledge and skills
– High school and university students will undergo mandatory military training

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will collaborate with the education department to conduct military drills, including shooting exercises, in high schools and universities. PLA branches are set to establish a presence in educational institutions across the country.

Reports indicate that some schools in Guangxi and Fujian provinces have already organized exercises using automatic rifles and rocket launchers. Even kindergarteners are being exposed to military culture through visits to army camps.

Universities are taking it a step further by conducting practical training with advanced equipment like drones and rocket launchers. The government is actively encouraging graduates in fields such as chemistry, missile technology, radar, and weapons engineering to join the PLA.

While China maintains a largely voluntary conscription system, this new approach mirrors the public military education systems seen in Russia and North Korea, incorporating mandatory training.

These developments, along with the PLA’s new recruitment guidelines adopted in May 2023, suggest that Xi Jinping’s regime is focusing on “preparing for war.” The national defense education reform is part of a broader strategy, which includes recent laws on anti-espionage and foreign investment, demonstrating Beijing’s comprehensive approach to addressing potential security threats.

Source: Radio France International, September 24, 2024
https://rfi.my/Az9e

China’s domestically developed J-10C fighter jet is underperforming in international sales, with even close allies like Serbia opting to purchase other jets such as the French Rafale fighters instead. South Korean media analysis suggests that, compared to the American-made F-16 and the French Rafale, the J-10C has a lower weapons payload capacity and less reliable jet engines, making it less attractive despite costing only a quarter of the price.

Serbia, considered China’s “iron friend” and a buyer of Chinese weapons, recently signed a €2.7 billion contract for 12 Rafale fighters. This decision by Serbian military leadership came after China’s attempt at selling J-10C jets to Serbia. The Korean media report suggested that, while the J-10C features modern equipment like AESA radar, it lacks combat experience and has a lower weapons payload compared to its competitors.

The J-10C’s Chinese-made WS-10 engine still faces issues with sustained power output and fuel efficiency. Political factors may have also influenced Serbia’s decision, as the country is now seeking to align more closely with the EU.

Thailand, which routinely conducts joint air force exercises with China, chose the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters over the J-10C.

Currently, Pakistan is the only confirmed international customer for the J-10C, having ordered 36 aircraft. Recent reports suggest that Egypt may become the second international buyer of the J-10C.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 9, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202409090194.aspx

China’s State Council and Central Military Commission have announced revised “Regulations on Preferential Treatment for Military Personnel,” effective October 1, 2024. The new regulations aim “to ensure state support for military personnel, inspire their dedication to defending and building the country, strengthen national defense and military modernization, and make military service a respected profession.”

Key revisions include:

1. Emphasis on “Communist Party leadership” and establishment of principles for military personnel benefits. The benefits are to “balance treatment with contribution, spiritual with material rewards, and care with service.”

2. Adaptation to new national defense and military requirements via “clarification of benefit recipients, of management systems, and of financial responsibilities between central and local governments.”

3. Enhancement of support measures for military personnel: ensuring access to social security, public services, and appropriate benefits. This includes increasing compensation for families of honored deceased personnel and inviting beneficiaries to major ceremonial events.

4. Improvement of service procedures and capabilities: improved processes for one-time compensation payments as well as refinement of disability rating assessments.

The revised regulations stress the importance of “dynamically adjusting benefit standards to align with economic and social development and military needs.” They also “establish care and assistance mechanisms, particularly for beneficiaries facing special difficulties.”

Source: Radio France International, August 13, 2024
https://rfi.my/As8X

China successfully launched the first group of satellites for its “Qianfan” low-Earth orbit internet constellation using a Long March 6 rocket. This project, managed by the state-owned Shanghai Yuxin Satellite Technology Co., aims to launch 108 satellites this year.

The Qianfan constellation is China’s attempt to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink project, which has launched about 5,500 satellites providing global internet coverage. Low-Earth orbit satellites, operating between 300-2,000 km altitude, are cheaper and more efficient than higher orbit satellites.

These satellites have strategic significance, as demonstrated by Starlink’s crucial communication role in the Russia-Ukraine war. Chinese military-affiliated media have published editorials claiming Starlink threatens China’s interests and represents U.S. attempts to establish space military dominance.

China has made significant strides in the space race recently. Besides the Qianfan launch, the Chang’e-6 mission successfully returned samples from the far side of the moon. In 2022, China sent three astronauts to its Tiangong space station for a six-month mission. With the International Space Station expected to retire in 2031, Tiangong will become the only space station in orbit.

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 6, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/kejiaowen/tj8-china-launches-sattellites-08062024125506.html