Editor's Note

Xi Jinping, CPC general secretary and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, has made decisive moves to consolidate China’s armed forces since the 18th National People’s Congress in November last year.

Over the past two and a half months, Xi has not only conducted inspections of the PLA ground, naval and air forces, as well as the armed police, he has also called for stricter management of the army.

Whether conducting inspections of troops or visiting villages in the poorer regions of western China, Xi has shown determination to improve people’s lives and the nation’s governance.

During the three-day inspection tours in Gansu Province since February 2, Xi explained that the central authorities attach a high importance to eliminating poverty and to the development of areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Latest News

Xi Jinping calls for PLA "real combat" awareness Source: CNTV.cn	New leaders reach out to poorest areas The new generation of top Party leaders has paid visits to poor areas prior to Spring Festival, signaling the central authority's commitment to continue fighting poverty.
	Xi Jinping visits officers and men of PLA air base Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission (CMC), went to a base of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the depth of the Gobi desert in spite of bitter cold to visit and extend greetings to the officers and men, scientists and technicians on the morning of February 2, 2013.
	Xi stresses loyalty, stability of armed police Chinese leader Xi Jinping on January 29 stressed the stability of the armed police and its absolute loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Recent Inspections

	Xi Jinping visits officers and men of PLA air base
	Time: Feb. 2, 2013
	Location: in the depth of the Gobi desert in Lanzhou, Gansu Province
	Military troops: A base of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)
	Statements: The CMC attaches great importance to the construction and development of the PLA Air Force and the development of the weaponry and equipment.
	Xi stresses loyalty, stability of armed police
	Time: Jan. 29, 2013
	Location: Beijing
	Military troops: armed police in Beijing
	Statements: Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed the stability of the armed police and its absolute loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC).
	Xi Jinping calls for PLA "real combat" awareness
	Time: Dec. 8-10, 2012
	Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
	Military troops: navy forces of a military base in Guangdong
	Statements: Xi called on the PLA to “revolutionize, modernize and standardize” its forces. It’s the first official inspection to the PLA troops by Party Leader Xi Jinping, who is also the newly elected Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission. During his tour,  Xi boarded a warship, inspected soldiers’ living quarters, stood on the sidelines of live fire drills and dined with them.
	Xi Jinping calls for powerful missile force
	Time: Dec. 5, 2012
	Location: Beijing
	Military troops: PLA's Second Artillery Force
	Statements: The Party and military leader stressed the absolute CPC leadership over the military, and called for promoting the PLA's glory, fine traditions and working styles, in order to ensure the army's "absolute loyalty, purity and reliability."

Comments:

Hong Kong-based newspaper Takungpao ran an article on Monday saying that it is rare to see Xi with such an intense schedule. It shows the public how much value China’s new leadership places on the army.  

The Sing Tao Daily (Canada) said that after Xi was elected Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission in November last year, he has exhibited a strong handling of the armed forces by conducting frequent inspections and purges.

The Hong Kong-based Ming Pao said in an opinion article that Xi’s moves to consolidate the armed forces have been quick, frequent and resolute.

The Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po reported on February 3 that Xi visited an air force base deep in the Gobi desert; a signal that the CPC Central Military Commission is looking to develop its air force.

After the official microblog of military newspaper PLA Daily posted on February 2 that Xi visited the air force base, the Taiwan-based United Daily News noted that it was the first time the Chinese military press reported Xi’s inspections by Weibo.

Source: Globaltimes.cn

Other Moves

Xi Jinping chats with impoverished villagers, migrant workers in Gansu	Xi extends festival greetings to veterans

More moves since Xi was elected as the CPC general secretary and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission in November last year:

Jan. 29, 2013: Xi urges fight against extravagance
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has urged all official organs to keep a frugal lifestyle and resolutely oppose extravagance. Xi noted that the fine Chinese tradition of "being diligent and thrifty" and the idea of "honor to frugality and shame to extravagance" should be promoted among all walks of life.

Jan.28, 2013: Xi honors outstanding military units, individuals
Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission Xi Jinping has signed orders of commendation to honor seven military units and 25 individuals for their outstanding service.

Jan. 22, 2013: Xi Jinping vows "power within cage of regulations"
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), vowed to unswervingly fight against corruption and keep power reined within the cage of regulations.

Dec. 24, 2012: Top CPC leaders' early life photos released
This special report will broadcast profiles and related photos of the seven members of the Standing Committee of the 18th CPC Central Committee Political Bureau in succession in the next days.

Dec. 11, 2012: Xi Jinping vows no stop in reform, opening up
Xi Jinping, the new leader of China's ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), vowed, "No stop in reform, and no stop in opening up," during his trip to South China's Guangdong Province from Dec. 7 to 11.

Dec. 9, 2012:  China's new leaders show will to change
At a meeting in South China's city of Guangzhou, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, encouraged participants to talk freely, as he did not ask officials to submit scripted speeches before the meeting and did not set the tone for the meeting himself.

Comments:

China's new leaders show will to change
Picking bureaucracy as their first target, China's new leaders have shown their will to make a difference and respond to people's concerns.

At a time when the country is facing a complex situation at home and abroad, people expect the new leadership to show a commitment to reform, the vision to lead reform in the right direction and the courage to see it through.

When power is encaged, so will extravagance
Leaders and officials' abstinent lifestyle is needed. Not only for the reason that they should take the lead in practising the fine frugal tradition in China, which is still a developing country with a large population living in poverty, but also because they are not allowed to snatch taxpayers' money for their own lusts.

Candid profiles of top CPC leadership mark media first

The Hong Kong-based Ming Pao commented that releasing the name of Xi's daughter is an extremely rare move, as information about the families of China's top leaders are rarely revealed in official media reports.

 

At the same time, the paper reminded this is a "warm-up phase" for the new CPC leadership who know the importance of good public relations."Only time will tell whether they can stick to such publicity," opined the article.