China’s Xi Jinping targets deterrence and discipline in PLA Rocket Force inspection

The president visits a brigade in Anhui province, urging them to adapt to new forms of warfare

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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the brigade came less than a month after China conducted an ICBM test. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:37pm, 19 Oct 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping put the national spotlight back on the military’s missile defences, inspecting a PLA Rocket Force brigade in the country’s southeast roughly a month after a landmark ICBM test.

During the visit to a strategic missile brigade in Anhui province on Thursday, Xi underlined the need for stronger missile deterrence as well as tighter discipline, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

He told the brigade to “adapt to the changes in modern warfare and combat methods and keep a close eye on [changes in] combat missions, opponents, and environment”.

Xi, who is also head of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body in charge of the armed forces, said that while troops should refine skills in conventional operations, they should also develop new skills, tactics and abilities with new equipment in a “targeted manner”.

“[Missile troops should] obey political guidance ... [and] enhance strategic deterrence and combat capabilities,” he said, on a trip that included equipment and training inspections.

The brigade was not identified but Xinhua did say it dated back more than 50 years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits an unnamed PLA Rocket Force brigade on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua