Further Reform in Defense and Military
As suggested by Xi Jinping, the need for further reform in defense and military as part of an expanded in-depth national reform program was incorporated in the Decision of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The move highlighted the importance of this reform to the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the realization of the Chinese Dream of national renewal, thus requiring close attention and substantive involvement by the Party and the state.
Addressing a CMC meeting on reform on November 24, 2015, Xi Jinping unveiled a reform plan to remove institutional barriers, solve structural and policy-related problems, modernize organizational structure, update the military force structure and military system with Chinese features, and create a strong military able to win informationized wars and effectively fulfill its missions. Strong armed forces provide indispensable support for achieving the Two Centenary Goals and realizing the Chinese Dream of national renewal.
With Xi Jinping’s personal involvement in guidance and decision-making, defense and military reform has been powering ahead. It is an all-encompassing process, involving fundamental overhauls of the leadership and command system, and changes to the size, structure, and force composition. Military policies and institutions have also been subject to revision.
These changes have injected fresh life into the military and significantly improved its ability to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
深化国防和军队改革
着眼坚持和发展中国特色社会主义、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，习近平提议把深化国防和军队改革作为全面深化改革的重要组成部分，写入中国共产党十八届三中全会《决定》，上升为党的意志和国家行为。2015年11月24日，习近平在中央军委改革工作会议上对深化国防和军队改革作出全面部署，明确要求着力解决制约国防和军队建设的体制性障碍、结构性矛盾、政策性问题，推进军队组织形态现代化，努力构建能够打赢信息化战争、有效履行使命任务的中国特色现代军事力量体系，完善中国特色社会主义军事制度，为实现“两个一百年”奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦提供坚强力量保证。
在习近平亲自领导、决策和推动下，深化国防和军队改革大刀阔斧、大开大合、大破大立，开启了人民军队整体性、革命性重塑的伟大变革，率先展开领导指挥体制改革，压茬推进军队规模结构和力量编成改革，着力深化军事政策制度改革。人民军队体制、结构、格局、面貌焕然一新，维护国家主权、安全、发展利益的能力显著增强。