Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for deeper political loyalty within the country’s armed forces as Beijing intensifies efforts to modernize its military and strengthen the Communist Party’s control over national defense institutions.
Speaking at a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force during the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing, Xi emphasized that unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party must remain the foundation of China’s military development. The meeting took place as China prepares to enter the early phase of its 15th Five-Year Plan covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
Xi, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that enhancing political loyalty within the military is a key advantage that must be fully utilized to drive the modernization of China’s national defense and armed forces.
Addressing lawmakers and military representatives, Xi said the armed forces must steadily advance modernization while ensuring that the Party’s leadership remains absolute and uncompromised. He argued that political unity and ideological discipline are essential for building a strong and technologically advanced military capable of responding to future security challenges.
Six lawmakers from the military delegation spoke during the meeting before Xi delivered what officials described as an important address outlining the next stage of defense reforms and institutional strengthening within the armed forces.
Xi highlighted progress made since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, when the Party leadership launched an extensive campaign to strengthen political discipline and restructure the military. According to Xi, the Party Central Committee has since led the armed forces through a sweeping program of political rectification designed to reinforce loyalty, eliminate corruption, and reshape the military’s command structure.
He said these efforts have been carried out with what he described as unprecedented resolve and intensity, producing significant results in improving the political environment within the armed forces.
Xi delivered a strong warning against disloyalty and corruption within the military ranks, declaring that there must be no place in the armed forces for individuals who fail to demonstrate loyalty to the Party. He emphasized that anti-corruption efforts must continue without compromise, signaling that the long-running crackdown within China’s defense establishment will remain a central priority.
Corruption in the military has been a persistent concern for China’s leadership over the past decade, with several senior officers investigated or punished during sweeping disciplinary campaigns aimed at tightening the Party’s control over the armed forces.
Xi stressed that the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period will require even stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent abuses of power and financial misconduct. He called for the establishment of rigorous systems to monitor the flow of funds, supervise the exercise of authority, and ensure strict quality control across military programs and procurement processes.
According to Xi, these oversight measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of defense modernization initiatives and ensure that resources are used efficiently as China expands its military capabilities.
Central to Xi’s vision is the continued strengthening of Party leadership structures within the military. He called for deeper Party building across all levels of the armed forces and urged officials to reinforce the role of Party organizations within military institutions.
Xi argued that strong Party leadership must be translated into tangible momentum for development and modernization. By strengthening political structures within the armed forces, he said, China can ensure unity of command, strategic clarity, and consistent implementation of defense policies.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the ideological foundations of the military, saying officers and soldiers must remain firmly committed to following the Party and its guidance. Ensuring political reliability among military personnel, he said, is essential as China deploys increasingly sophisticated weapons systems and advanced technologies.
Xi stressed that modern weaponry and equipment must be entrusted only to individuals who demonstrate strong political commitment and loyalty to the Party’s leadership.
Alongside political reforms, Xi outlined a series of priorities aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of China’s military. These include the systematic training of personnel for joint operations across different service branches, reflecting China’s ongoing push to improve coordination among land, sea, air, and strategic forces.
He also called for expanded training for new types of combat forces, including units specializing in emerging warfare domains and technologically advanced capabilities.
Xi further emphasized the need to cultivate high-level scientific and technological innovation within the military sector. China has increasingly invested in military research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and next-generation weapons systems as part of its broader strategy to transform the People’s Liberation Army into a world-class fighting force.
Another priority highlighted in Xi’s remarks was the development of high-level strategic management capabilities within the military. Strengthening planning, coordination, and long-term strategic thinking, he said, will be crucial as China navigates an increasingly complex global security environment.
At the same time, Xi urged the armed forces to preserve and promote what he described as the fine traditions of the Communist Party and the military. These traditions, he said, remain an important source of unity and discipline within the armed forces and should continue to guide military culture and conduct.
Zhang Shengmin, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, also attended the meeting, reflecting the high-level attention given to the discussions on military reform and political discipline.
