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Beijing embarks on military reforms

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Nov. 6. China is embarking on a `scientific' process of military `reform' to wage successful battles in the emerging era of "information war''.

The call for a guideline has been issued by the Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC), Jiang Zemin. He chairs the Commission at the State level as also within the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). The move coincided with political indications that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) may prune its strength of servicemen by 200,000 personnel by 2005.

At a conference on restructuring military academies, Mr. Jiang said the proposed `reform' of the PLA, with definitive "Chinese characteristics'', was aimed at achieving success in the information wars.

The other objective was to reinforce the army's mobility, competitiveness and its overall combat capabilities.

Noting that `talent' was as crucial in this regard as scientific prowess, the CMC Chairman urged the military academies to participate in the process of reform and `restructuring' by recognising the general situation in the country and turning the spotlight on the imperatives of national politics as well, besides paying attention to the relevant scientific aspects.

The conference was attended by the Chinese President and the CPC General Secretary, Hu Jintao, who is also the CMC Vice-Chairman.

The other CMC Vice-Chairmen, Guo Boxiong and Cao Gangchuan, were also present. Coinciding with the conference, the CMC and the State Council decided to downsize China's Army, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

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