On Oct. 17, Xi visited PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) brigade (六十一基地611旅), in Chizhou, Anhui province. It was an important, symbolic meeting for Xi and the PLA, at a time when the PLARF is in the midst of one of the largest corruption purges in recent history. B-611 is home to nuclear-armed DF-26 IRBMs, which recently replaced the DF-21s, and of which Xi took several photos behind.
A long 🧵 on the significance of the visit, with full video of the visit and full text translation at the end.
A long 🧵 on the significance of the visit, with full video of the visit and full text translation at the end.
First, Xi’s overall message to the PLARF was to “thoroughly implement the new era of strengthening the army, implement the new era of military strategic guidelines, grasp the characteristics and laws of strategic missile force construction and combat use, adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility, work hard and promote high-quality development of the force construction, enhance strategic deterrence and actual combat capabilities, and resolutely complete the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.”
Not a lot new here. In essence, adhere to Xi’s guidance of new military strategic guidelines, of which “enhancing strategic deterrence” and “real combat effectiveness” (提升战略威慑和实战能力) has become Xi’s hallmark.
So why was this visit so important? One indicator is who was in attendance:
-GEN Zhang Youxia (Vice Chair of the CMC);
-GEN Wang Houbin (王厚斌), commander of the PLARF;
-GEN Xu Xisheng (徐西盛), political commissar of the PLARF;
-LTGEN Fang Yongxiang (方永祥), Political Commissar of its Southern Theater Command Ground Force;
-Li Jiliang (李继良), possibly senior technician of China Aviation Industry Corporation;
-MGEN Zhao Quanhong (赵全红), likely Political Commissar of 61 of Eastern Theatre Command (ETC) of which B-611 is a part; and
-Chen Fujiang (陈付刚), Director of the Political Work Department, likely of B-611.
-GEN Zhang Youxia (Vice Chair of the CMC);
-GEN Wang Houbin (王厚斌), commander of the PLARF;
-GEN Xu Xisheng (徐西盛), political commissar of the PLARF;
-LTGEN Fang Yongxiang (方永祥), Political Commissar of its Southern Theater Command Ground Force;
-Li Jiliang (李继良), possibly senior technician of China Aviation Industry Corporation;
-MGEN Zhao Quanhong (赵全红), likely Political Commissar of 61 of Eastern Theatre Command (ETC) of which B-611 is a part; and
-Chen Fujiang (陈付刚), Director of the Political Work Department, likely of B-611.
These are the top leaders of the PLA and PLARF, and their presence suggests this was major visit for Xi and the PLARF. All the top brass were there.
Second reason is what is going on in the PLARF. When I say "purge," I mean most of the top leaders of PLARF have been removed or under investigation for corruption in the last year. That is MASSIVE for one service.
They are: GEN Wei Fenghe (previous commander of the PLARF and former Minister of National Defense); GEN Zhou Yaning and GEN Li Yuchao (two former PLARF commanders); MGEN Lu Hong (former Director of the equipment development department, PLARF); LTGEN Zhang Zhenzhong (former PLARF Deputy Commander); and LTGEN Li Chuanguang (former PLARF deputy commander).
They are: GEN Wei Fenghe (previous commander of the PLARF and former Minister of National Defense); GEN Zhou Yaning and GEN Li Yuchao (two former PLARF commanders); MGEN Lu Hong (former Director of the equipment development department, PLARF); LTGEN Zhang Zhenzhong (former PLARF Deputy Commander); and LTGEN Li Chuanguang (former PLARF deputy commander).
So the visit comes at a time of significant turmoil and distrust between Xi and the PLARF. In that context, Xi’s visit was likely meant to boost morale but also to send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated.
Third, Xi’s central message to the B-611 was clear and forceful. About half of his work report speech focused on “good work style” and adhering to the "absolute authority of the Party."
Here is the relevant content:
“He emphasized the need to promote the political work of the Central Military Commission. We must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the army, deepen the Party's innovative theories, and carry out ideological and political work down to the launch pad to ensure that the troops resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission at all times and under all circumstances. We must strictly implement democratic centralism and strictly observe political life within the Party. We must improve the leadership, organization, and execution capabilities of the brigade Party committees. We must strengthen the construction of grassroots Party organizations, enhance the ability to build and lead officers and soldiers to perform tasks according to the guidelines, and lay a solid foundation for the construction and combat effectiveness of the troops. We must focus on the root of ideological problems, strengthen discussion and analysis, and severely investigate and deal with corruption and unhealthy practices around officers and soldiers and Party committees and organs at all levels.”
Here is the relevant content:
“He emphasized the need to promote the political work of the Central Military Commission. We must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the army, deepen the Party's innovative theories, and carry out ideological and political work down to the launch pad to ensure that the troops resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission at all times and under all circumstances. We must strictly implement democratic centralism and strictly observe political life within the Party. We must improve the leadership, organization, and execution capabilities of the brigade Party committees. We must strengthen the construction of grassroots Party organizations, enhance the ability to build and lead officers and soldiers to perform tasks according to the guidelines, and lay a solid foundation for the construction and combat effectiveness of the troops. We must focus on the root of ideological problems, strengthen discussion and analysis, and severely investigate and deal with corruption and unhealthy practices around officers and soldiers and Party committees and organs at all levels.”
Finally, some of Xi’s rhetoric on strategic deterrence were notable. Namely, the need to “strengthen the awareness of crisis, awareness of war, and comprehensively strengthen the training and preparation for war, make the combat capabilities of the troops solid and powerful, safeguard the country's strategic security and core interests” (强化忧患意识危机意识打仗意识全面加强练兵备战把部队作战能力搞扎实有力维护国家战略安全和核心利益).
Xi’s call for “preparation for war” is not new (and should not be misread as making active preparations for war, but rather, maintaining “readiness”). But the linking of “awareness of crisis and war” with “safeguarding the country's strategic security and core interests” was noteworthy.
Xi’s call for “preparation for war” is not new (and should not be misread as making active preparations for war, but rather, maintaining “readiness”). But the linking of “awareness of crisis and war” with “safeguarding the country's strategic security and core interests” was noteworthy.
Here is the full text (very rough) translation of the CCTV report on Xi’s visit to Brigade 611, with full video:
“Xi emphasized the need to thoroughly implement the new era of strengthening the army, implement the new era of military strategic guidelines, grasp the characteristics and laws of strategic missile force construction and combat use, adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility, work hard and promote high-quality development of the force construction, enhance strategic deterrence and actual combat capabilities, and resolutely complete the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people. At about 11 a.m., Xi Jinping arrived at a certain brigade of the Rocket Force and first visited the brigade's military history corridor. The brigade is a strategic missile force with a glorious history of more than 50 years. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the brigade has firmly raised the flag and forged the soul under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the army, and has carried out actual combat training and excellently completed a series of major exercises. In front of the exhibition board of the development process of the reaction force and the comprehensive construction in the new era, Xi Jinping learned in detail about the officers and soldiers' learning of the party's innovative theories, intensifying training and preparing for war, and carrying forward the fine traditions. A certain type of missile was neatly arranged on the training ground. This is the brigade's newly-replaced main combat weapon equipment. Xi Jinping came here to listen to the introduction of the technical and tactical performance of weapons and equipment, and to check the operation and training of officers and soldiers. Seeing that the officers and soldiers were skilled in operation, well-trained and high-spirited, Xi Jinping was very happy. Xi Jinping took a group photo with the officers and soldiers. He encouraged everyone to train hard, train scientifically, train safely, master and use the weapons in their hands, and live up to the trust of the party and the people. Afterwards, Xi Jinping listened to the brigade's work report and delivered an important speech. He emphasized the need to promote the political work of the Central Military Commission. The spirit of the work conference has been implemented and achieved outstanding results in the troops. The Party committees and leading cadres at this level have closely connected with the actual situation of the troops, continuously deepened political training, and solidly grasped all aspects of political army building. We must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the army, deepen the Party's innovative theories, and carry out ideological and political work down to the launch pad to ensure that the troops resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission at all times and under all circumstances. We must strictly implement democratic centralism and strictly observe political life within the Party. We must improve the leadership, organization, and execution capabilities of the brigade Party committees. We must strengthen the construction of grassroots Party organizations, enhance the ability to build and lead officers and soldiers to perform tasks according to the guidelines, and lay a solid foundation for the construction and combat effectiveness of the troops. We must focus on the root of ideological problems, strengthen discussion and analysis, and severely investigate and deal with corruption and unhealthy practices around officers and soldiers and Party committees and organs at all levels. We must improve work guidance, coordinate well, and continuously solve five problems to reduce the burden on the grassroots. We must be enthusiastic and solve the problems of officers and soldiers, and inspire the motivation and vitality of work and entrepreneurship. Xi Jinping emphasized that we must strengthen the awareness of crisis, awareness of war, and comprehensively strengthen the training and preparation for war, make the combat capabilities of the troops solid and powerful, safeguard the country's strategic security and core interests, adapt to the changes in the form and methods of modern warfare, keep close to the combat missions, combat opponents, and combat environment, strengthen the training of new equipment, new skills, and new tactics in a targeted manner, strengthen typical actions, specialize and refine, strengthen supporting construction, form a system, and form actual combat capabilities. We must be based on reality and take positive actions to explore and innovate the use of strategic forces and organizational models to give full play to the strategic functions of the weapons in our hands. Zhang Youxia and others participated in the event.
军委主席习近平17号到火箭军某旅视察强调要深入贯彻新时代强军思想贯彻新时代军事战略方针把握战略导弹部队建设和作战运用特点规律坚持政治引领强化使命担当埋头苦干实干推进部队建设高质量发展提升战略威慑和实战能力坚决完成党和人民赋予的各项任务金秋十月江淮大地山水秀丽风景如画上午11时许习近平来到火箭军某旅首先查看了该旅军史长廊该旅是一支有着五十多年光荣历史的战略导弹部队党的十八大以来该旅在习近平强军思想指引下坚定举旗铸魂大抓实战化训练出色完成一系列重大任务在反应部队发展历程新时代全面建设的展板前习近平详细了解官兵学习党的创新理论加紧练兵备战弘扬优良传统等情况训练场上某型导弹整齐排列这是该旅新换型的主战武器装备习近平来到这里听取武器装备技战术性能介绍查看官兵操作训练情况看到官兵操作熟练训练有素士气高昂习近平很高兴习近平同官兵合影留念他勉励大家刻苦训练科学训练安全训练熟练掌握和用好手中武器不辜负党和人民重托谢谢主席关怀主席完成任务.随后习近平听取该旅工作汇报并发表重要讲话他强调要推进中央军委政治工作会议精神在部队落地见效突出本级党委和领导干部紧密联系部队实际持续深化政治整训扎实抓好政治建军各项工作要坚持党对军队绝对领导深化党的创新理论武装把思想政治工作做到发射架下确保部队任何时候任何情况下都坚决听从党中央和中央军委指挥要严格落实民主集中制严肃党内政治生活提高旅党委领导力组织力执行力要加强基层党组织建设增强按纲抓建和带领官兵遂行任务能力夯实部队建设和战斗力基础要扭住思想根子问题加强讨论辨析严肃查处官兵身边的腐败问题和不正之风各级党委和机关要改进工作指导搞好统筹协调持续解决五多问题为基层减负满腔热忱为官兵排忧解难激发干事创业动力活力。习近平强调要强化忧患意识危机意识打仗意识全面加强练兵备战把部队作战能力搞扎实有力维护国家战略安全和核心利益要适应现代战争形态和作战方式变化紧贴作战任务作战对手作战环境有针对性加强新装备新技能新战法训练加强典型行动专攻精练要加强配套建设成体系形成实战能力要立足实际积极作为探索创新战略力量运用样式和组织模式把手中武器的战略功能充分发挥出来张又侠等参加活动. /END.
“Xi emphasized the need to thoroughly implement the new era of strengthening the army, implement the new era of military strategic guidelines, grasp the characteristics and laws of strategic missile force construction and combat use, adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility, work hard and promote high-quality development of the force construction, enhance strategic deterrence and actual combat capabilities, and resolutely complete the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people. At about 11 a.m., Xi Jinping arrived at a certain brigade of the Rocket Force and first visited the brigade's military history corridor. The brigade is a strategic missile force with a glorious history of more than 50 years. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the brigade has firmly raised the flag and forged the soul under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the army, and has carried out actual combat training and excellently completed a series of major exercises. In front of the exhibition board of the development process of the reaction force and the comprehensive construction in the new era, Xi Jinping learned in detail about the officers and soldiers' learning of the party's innovative theories, intensifying training and preparing for war, and carrying forward the fine traditions. A certain type of missile was neatly arranged on the training ground. This is the brigade's newly-replaced main combat weapon equipment. Xi Jinping came here to listen to the introduction of the technical and tactical performance of weapons and equipment, and to check the operation and training of officers and soldiers. Seeing that the officers and soldiers were skilled in operation, well-trained and high-spirited, Xi Jinping was very happy. Xi Jinping took a group photo with the officers and soldiers. He encouraged everyone to train hard, train scientifically, train safely, master and use the weapons in their hands, and live up to the trust of the party and the people. Afterwards, Xi Jinping listened to the brigade's work report and delivered an important speech. He emphasized the need to promote the political work of the Central Military Commission. The spirit of the work conference has been implemented and achieved outstanding results in the troops. The Party committees and leading cadres at this level have closely connected with the actual situation of the troops, continuously deepened political training, and solidly grasped all aspects of political army building. We must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the army, deepen the Party's innovative theories, and carry out ideological and political work down to the launch pad to ensure that the troops resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission at all times and under all circumstances. We must strictly implement democratic centralism and strictly observe political life within the Party. We must improve the leadership, organization, and execution capabilities of the brigade Party committees. We must strengthen the construction of grassroots Party organizations, enhance the ability to build and lead officers and soldiers to perform tasks according to the guidelines, and lay a solid foundation for the construction and combat effectiveness of the troops. We must focus on the root of ideological problems, strengthen discussion and analysis, and severely investigate and deal with corruption and unhealthy practices around officers and soldiers and Party committees and organs at all levels. We must improve work guidance, coordinate well, and continuously solve five problems to reduce the burden on the grassroots. We must be enthusiastic and solve the problems of officers and soldiers, and inspire the motivation and vitality of work and entrepreneurship. Xi Jinping emphasized that we must strengthen the awareness of crisis, awareness of war, and comprehensively strengthen the training and preparation for war, make the combat capabilities of the troops solid and powerful, safeguard the country's strategic security and core interests, adapt to the changes in the form and methods of modern warfare, keep close to the combat missions, combat opponents, and combat environment, strengthen the training of new equipment, new skills, and new tactics in a targeted manner, strengthen typical actions, specialize and refine, strengthen supporting construction, form a system, and form actual combat capabilities. We must be based on reality and take positive actions to explore and innovate the use of strategic forces and organizational models to give full play to the strategic functions of the weapons in our hands. Zhang Youxia and others participated in the event.
军委主席习近平17号到火箭军某旅视察强调要深入贯彻新时代强军思想贯彻新时代军事战略方针把握战略导弹部队建设和作战运用特点规律坚持政治引领强化使命担当埋头苦干实干推进部队建设高质量发展提升战略威慑和实战能力坚决完成党和人民赋予的各项任务金秋十月江淮大地山水秀丽风景如画上午11时许习近平来到火箭军某旅首先查看了该旅军史长廊该旅是一支有着五十多年光荣历史的战略导弹部队党的十八大以来该旅在习近平强军思想指引下坚定举旗铸魂大抓实战化训练出色完成一系列重大任务在反应部队发展历程新时代全面建设的展板前习近平详细了解官兵学习党的创新理论加紧练兵备战弘扬优良传统等情况训练场上某型导弹整齐排列这是该旅新换型的主战武器装备习近平来到这里听取武器装备技战术性能介绍查看官兵操作训练情况看到官兵操作熟练训练有素士气高昂习近平很高兴习近平同官兵合影留念他勉励大家刻苦训练科学训练安全训练熟练掌握和用好手中武器不辜负党和人民重托谢谢主席关怀主席完成任务.随后习近平听取该旅工作汇报并发表重要讲话他强调要推进中央军委政治工作会议精神在部队落地见效突出本级党委和领导干部紧密联系部队实际持续深化政治整训扎实抓好政治建军各项工作要坚持党对军队绝对领导深化党的创新理论武装把思想政治工作做到发射架下确保部队任何时候任何情况下都坚决听从党中央和中央军委指挥要严格落实民主集中制严肃党内政治生活提高旅党委领导力组织力执行力要加强基层党组织建设增强按纲抓建和带领官兵遂行任务能力夯实部队建设和战斗力基础要扭住思想根子问题加强讨论辨析严肃查处官兵身边的腐败问题和不正之风各级党委和机关要改进工作指导搞好统筹协调持续解决五多问题为基层减负满腔热忱为官兵排忧解难激发干事创业动力活力。习近平强调要强化忧患意识危机意识打仗意识全面加强练兵备战把部队作战能力搞扎实有力维护国家战略安全和核心利益要适应现代战争形态和作战方式变化紧贴作战任务作战对手作战环境有针对性加强新装备新技能新战法训练加强典型行动专攻精练要加强配套建设成体系形成实战能力要立足实际积极作为探索创新战略力量运用样式和组织模式把手中武器的战略功能充分发挥出来张又侠等参加活动. /END.
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