Defense/Military - 68. page

This year, the PLA will see its third pay raise in the past six years. The pay raises range from 5% to 40% and will be retroactive to the second half of 2010. Non-commissioned officers will receive a 40% raise, while the average raise for officers will be 1,000 yuan (US$152). For example, a platoon lieutenant’s monthly pay will increase from 3,500 to 4,500 yuan (US$685) and a general’s monthly pay will increase from 21,000 to 22,000 yuan (US$3,348). Salaries vary in different services. For example, Army salaries are the lowest, followed by the Navy and Air Force, with the Second Artillery Corps, also known as the PLA’s Strategic Missile Forces, being the highest.

Source: Guangming Daily, March 2, 2011 reprint from Chongqing Morning
http://mil.gmw.cn/2011-03/02/content_1666423.htm

On February 15, 2011, Xinhua reported that a new PLA naval stealth missile boat (type 022) can attack distant targets in the ocean and is a deterrent for enemy boats in the South China Sea. This new speedy stealth missile boat, boasting a powerful firing range (maximum range of 150 km), is equipped with a number of features for covert operations.

China’s Central Military Commission’s General Political Department recently issued a “Study Provisions for CCP Members and Cadres in the Military” to all of the PLA armies and the armed police forces. The provision is to implement CMC President Hu Jintao’s instructions on “strengthening all levels of CCP committees’ study and building a high-quality, high-efficiency military leadership body.”

The "Study Provisions" are the basic guidelines for the military Party members and cadres to follow "under the new situation."

Source: Xinhua, February 14, 2011

http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-02/14/c_13731527.htm

People’s Daily reported on February 10, 2011, that the Chinese Navy recently underwent a series of personnel changes. A major characteristic of the changes was that many newly promoted officers have had experience in weaponry or have been leaders in naval institutions. The move reflects the strategic thinking of having a scientifically developed navy. This rearrangement of naval leadership involves more that 10 vice admirals and rear admirals. They are from naval headquarters and all fleets, naval bases, and institutions. The positions of Navy Chief of Staff, South Sea Fleet Commander, and East Sea Fleet Commander have all changed.

Source: People’s Daily, February, 10, 2011
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/42969/58519/13881992.html

Officials from the China Astronauts Research and Training Center reported on January 26, 2011, that China has just established its first national basic manned-space flight research project. The Ministry of Science and Technology approved the project, titled “research on astronauts operating capability, adaptability to change, and mechanisms for long-term space flight.” The project will focus on the impact on astronauts of weightlessness, the rapid shift between day and night, and living in a confined space. The research will be done from 2011 to 2015. The results are critical to China’s space station.

Source: Xinhua, January 26, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-01/26/c_121026078.htm

Qiushi Journal, a publication of the CCP’s Central Committee, republished an article from PLA Daily stressing the importance of improving the current military training to better suit warfare based information systems. The article advocates joint military exercises that integrate various military units, using the information network platform.

It points out that the PLA’s current training lacks an environment that simulates hardships and a near-war situation. Hence, training is relatively simple with reduced challenges. The new training should provide simulations of the actual war field, multi-dimensional surveillance, complicated electro-magnetic fields, real fighting, political and psychological warfare, network attacks and defense, and a hydrological and meteorological environment.

Source: Qiushi Journal, Jan 6, 2011
http://www.qsjournal.com.cn/gf/gfjsyfz/201101/t20110106_61298.htm

Xinhua recently republished an article summarizing the highlights of the military exercises that both China and the U.S. conducted in 2010.

China’s highlights were characterized as “oriented toward actual combat and included:” (1) perfecting remote operations; (2) information warfare, which was used widely throughout the exercises; (3) breaking traditional geo-areas in international cooperation; (4) sending a clear message on defending sovereignty.

The U.S. highlights were characterized as “encircling China:” (1) The USS George Washington covered three main Chinese seas; (2) U.S. soldiers deployed to China’s borders on all sides; (3) The U.S. arranged “preventive deployments” against China.

Source: Xinhua, December 24, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-12/24/c_13663015.htm

The International Herald Leader published an article containing interviews on how to deal with the U.S. return to Asia.

Yin Zhuo, Major General and Director of the Navy Information Expert Committee, said, “It will take the United States a fairly long period of time to return to Asia. Anti-terrorist wars still constrain U.S. power. … China needs to grasp this strategic opportunity firmly.”

Xu Ke, Marine Affairs Expert, Institute of International Relations, Xiamen University, said, “While the cooperation between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is still in its initial stage, China should use drastic measures in the South China Sea to take over the islands and reefs occupied by our neighboring small countries.” As for the East China Sea, China may have to wait until China’s naval forces are strong enough before taking any drastic measures.”

Source: International Herald Leader, January 3, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2011-01/03/c_13675032.htm