Skip to content

Defense/Military

Central Military Commission Launches Plan to Recruit Elite University Graduates as Military Officers

People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), recently reported that the Political Work Department of the CCP’s Central Military Commission has launched a recruitment initiative to “directly enlist outstanding university graduates” as military (and police) officers. The selection of graduates primarily targets those who studied science and engineering disciplines at “first-class” universities. For specialties urgently needed in military construction, a limited number of graduates from “non-first-class” universities and disciplines “may also be selected, provided they were admitted in the first batch of students during the undergraduate admissions process.” The goal for the planned initiative is to recruit over 800 military (police) officers in the latter half of this year.

Source: People’s Daily, November 4, 2024
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1104/c1011-40353639.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

PLA Exercise Reveals Logistics Management Problems

The international column “Looking at the Changing Winds (又看风云起)” on Chinese platform Tencent.com published an article stating that, in May of this year, several brigades under People’s Liberation Army (PLA) 72nd Group Army conducted exercises simulating real battlefield conditions. During the exercise, an infantry fighting vehicle from one brigade experienced a sudden track break after completing live-fire training while en route to retreat, rendering it immobile and blocking the path for following vehicles. Although the brigade had prepared some repair tools, they were insufficient to fix the vehicle’s track, ultimately causing a significant delay in the unit’s assessment timeline.

Another brigade encountered a similar incident. To ensure a clear route for night maneuvers, the brigade deployed soldiers with illuminated batons to guide the unit’s movement. However, one baton unexpectedly ran out of power, causing the convoy to lose guidance. One armored vehicle even became stuck in a narrow passage, obstructing the overall retreat plan.

The author noted that, while these two incidents may seem like “minor mishaps in the exercise,” they highlight “significant room for improvement” in the PLA’s logistics management, equipment maintenance, and emergency response.

Source: Aboluo, November 4, 2024
https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1104/2124849.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Subtle Shifts in Military Protocol Signal Possible Change in Xi Jinping’s Authority Over Chinese Military

The question of whether Xi Jinping has lost some of his power has been a recent topic of hot discussion among Chinese-language media operating outside of mainland China. The following are some points made on this topic analyzing Chinese military activity.

  • From October 24 to 26, Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Central Military Commission (CMC), visited Vietnam. He received a high-level reception. Political analysts suggest that Zhang’s visit subtly hints that Zhang may have superseded Xi Jinping in terms of authority over the Chinese military.

On October 24, Zhang’s Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang welcomed Zhang with a red carpet. During their talks, Zhang did not mention Xi Jinping, stating only that Chinese-Vietnamese relations have been cultivated by “generations of leaders from both countries.” Zhang reportedly “emphasized the need to implement the consensus reached” by the two parties and by “high-level leaders of both countries” (not referring to Xi by name).

On October 25, Vietnam’s top leader To Lam held a meeting with Zhang. To Lam conveyed greetings and well-wishes to Xi Jinping, but Zhang did not mention Xi. Chinese state media claimed that Zhang had passed along Xi’s greetings and well-wishes to To Lam, however. Vietnamese President Luong Cuong also met Zhang on the same day. Luong Cuong mentioned Xi but Zhang did not respond, expressing only congratulations to Luong on the recent start of his presidency and that it was his pleasure to visit Vietnam as Vice Chairman of the CMC.

On October 26, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also met with Zhang.

  • On October 31, the General Office of the CMC issued a document titled “Guidelines for Developing and Promoting a Strong Military Culture.” The document mentions “strong military culture” and “strong military ideology” but does not include references to “Xi Jinping’s strong military ideology” or the “CMC Chairman Responsibility System” as it used to do in the past. It says that the military should “follow the Party’s command” but not that it should “follow Xi Jinping’s command” or “follow the command of the CMC Chairman.”
  • On October 17, during an inspection of a Rocket Force unit in Anhui Province, Xi Jinping said “We must uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the military… to ensure the troops obey the (CCP’s) Central Committee and CMC at all times and under any circumstances.” He did not emphasize “absolute loyalty” or the “CMC Chairman Responsibility System,” however
  • On November 4, during Xi’s visit to the Airborne Corps in Xiaogan City, Hubei Province, Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi did not mention “the Party’s absolute leadership over the military” or “obeying the (CCP’s) Central Committee and CMC,” nor did he mention “loyalty.”

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, October 28, 2024
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/10/28/n14358971.htm
2. People’s Daily, October 31, 2024
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1031/c1001-40350708.html
3. Aboluo, November 1, 2024
https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1101/2123502.html
4. Epoch Times, November 6, 2024
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/11/5/n14365087.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

CNA: HIMARS Tactical Missile Systems Arrives in Taiwan

According to primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA), Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense recently confirmed that 11 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) have arrived in Taiwan. People familiar with the matter confirmed that the 300-kilometer-range MGM-140 Army Tactical Missiles (ATACMS) included in the HIMARS Arms Sale program have also arrived in Taiwan. The exact number of missiles arriving in Taiwan was not disclosed due to the sensitivity of the program. Scholars pointed out that this tactical missile provide the Taiwanese military with the ability to counterattack against a hypothetical invasion by the Chinese communist army.

Taiwan originally purchased 11 HIMARS systems from the United States. Later, it purchased an additional 18 systems, bringing the total to 29. The original purchase included 64 MGM-140 ATACMS missiles, with the total increasing to 84 missiles after the second purchase.

The Ukrainian military carried out in-depth interdiction strikes in combats after Ukraine obtained ATACMS missiles as part of a U.S. aid package in the first half of 2024, attacking Russian supply lines, ammunition depots, and so on, with very powerful effects. In October 2020 the United States announced the sale of HIMARS systems and ATACMS missiles to Taiwan during Donald Trump’s first term as president.

Source: CNA, November 9, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202411090197.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: Chinese Air Force Demonstrates New HQ-19 Missile System

Xinhua recently reported from The Fifteenth Chinese Air Show that the Chinese Air Force displayed the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system for the first time. The HQ-19 system is mainly used to implement regional interception of ballistic missile targets. It is reportedly “able to cover a large combat protection zone” and “has strong penetration and confrontation capabilities.”

The missile launch vehicle uses an 8×8 wheeled high-mobility truck chassis. Each launch vehicle is equipped with six interceptor missiles installed in an integrated “storage-transportation-and-launch” cylindrical launch tube. The launch method is known as “cold launch.” Judging from the adaptive launch base at the rear of the launch tube, the HQ-19 does not use a traditional vertical launch orientation.

Experts explained that the HQ-19 can not only intercept traditional ballistic missiles, but also has the ability to counter hypersonic missiles high up in the atmosphere with glide maneuver penetration capabilities.

Source: Xinhua, November 7, 2024
http://www.news.cn/milpro/20241107/09b8fe1a57b84d989ed86a92e63660ea/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Zurich University of the Arts Ends Partnership with Military-Affiliated Chinese University

After years of controversy and reevaluation, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK) terminated its collaboration with the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) on a joint education program in China, the Shenzhen Institute of Design (SISD). The been partnership had been planned to continue for 30-years. In early 2023, ZHDK conducted a risk analysis of this partnership project, which led to the termination decision. The two main reasons cited were barriers arising from differences in degree standards and “operational risks.”

The decisive factors in ending the collaboration were not related to faculty or degree quality, but rather to HIT’s ties to the Chinese military. HIT is one of China’s “seven defense universities” with close ties to the military. Much of its research funding comes from China’s Ministry of National Defense.

Thomas D. Meier, the former president of ZHDK and a proponent of the partnership, acknowledged HIT’s ties to the military in a 2019 interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung, but he argued that this connection should not hinder cooperation.

However, some ZHDK faculty and students criticized the project from the start, expressing concerns that the partnership would restrict artistic and academic freedom. They feared that foreign faculty teaching in Shenzhen could face risks if they voiced criticism of China and whether Chinese military will use the products developed on the Shenzhen campus. ZHDK has also received scrutiny from the state government and multiple parties in parliament.

Source: Deutsche Welle, October 29, 2024
https://www.dw.com/zh/风险太高-苏黎世艺术大学终止与哈工大合作办学/a-70632329

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Economy/Resources

Indonesia Expels Chinese Coast Guard Vessel in Natuna Sea Waters Three Times

On October 21, Indonesia reported that China’s Coast Guard ship 5402 entered the northern waters of the Natuna Sea without permission on three occasions, disrupting seismic survey activities conducted by a unit under Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company in the area. Indonesian authorities communicated with the Chinese vessel via radio. The Chinese side insisted that the waters it entered were under Chinese jurisdiction. In the end, Indonesia deployed a patrol plane and patrol ship to expel the Chinese vessel.

The same Chinese vessel entered the waters again on October 23 and was expelled by Indonesia.

On October 24th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the incidents, stating that the Chinese Coast Guard vessel was patrolling within waters under Chinese jurisdiction. Lin said that China is willing to strengthen communication and consultations with Indonesia through diplomatic channels to properly handle maritime issues between the two countries.

On the next day, October 25, the same Chinese vessel entered the waters again. And again, Indonesia expelled it.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, October 27, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20241027-5254193

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Xi Jinping Inspects Rocket Force Unit, Emphasizes Combat Readiness and Party Leadership

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

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military