The New Frontier of War: Xi Jinping’s Focus on Information Warfare in the Military

 China’s President Xi Jinping has reiterated his commitment to rooting out corruption within the military and enhancing its capacity for information warfare. These remarks underline Xi's broader vision for a disciplined and modernised People's Liberation Army (PLA) capable of addressing contemporary threats.

Key Points from Xi Jinping’s Address:

1. Anti-Corruption Drive in the Military:
   Xi emphasised the need to enforce discipline and tackle corruption to ensure the PLA's loyalty and reliability. This follows an extensive anti-corruption purge that has removed several high-ranking military officials and defense industry executives.

2. Focus on Loyalty and Purity:
   Xi stressed that the military must remain "absolutely loyal, absolutely pure, and absolutely reliable," signaling the importance of aligning the armed forces closely with the Communist Party's objectives.

3. Inspection of Information Warfare Unit:
   Xi conducted his first inspection of the PLA’s new Information Support Force, a unit established in April as part of sweeping military reforms. This department focuses on cyber, information, and electronic warfare.

4. Modernization Through Restructuring:
   The Information Support Force represents a significant step in modernizing China's military. It operates directly under the Central Military Commission, reflecting the heightened importance of non-conventional warfare in China's strategic priorities.

5. Combat-Ready Focus:
   Xi described the Information Support Force as primarily a "combat force," tasked with defending the PLA’s information systems against cyber and electronic warfare threats. This reflects an understanding of the increasing prominence of technology-driven conflicts.

6. Context of Military Reforms:
   This restructuring marks one of the largest overhauls of the PLA since 2015, focusing on improving operational efficiency and integrating advanced warfare techniques into China's military strategy.

7. Response to Internal Scandals:
   Xi’s comments come in the wake of a recent announcement that a senior military official is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline." This continues the trend of high-profile crackdowns under Xi's leadership.

Final Note:

Xi Jinping’s focus on anti-corruption and information warfare illustrates the dual challenges China’s military faces: maintaining ideological alignment with the Communist Party and adapting to modern conflict dynamics. By consolidating the PLA’s capabilities in cyber and information warfare, Xi is preparing the military for scenarios where technological superiority could be a decisive factor.

The emphasis on discipline also highlights a drive to eliminate internal vulnerabilities that could undermine China’s ambitions for regional and global military influence. This approach aligns with Xi’s broader policy goals of strengthening state control and ensuring the PLA remains a loyal arm of the Party.

Source:

China's Xi stresses need to fight graft in military