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World|politics|November 27, 2015 / 12:05 PM
China's army to get more prominent role in military reform

AKIPRESS.COM - china armyChina's army will get a more prominent role under military reform proposals announced this week and there will also be more help for those who lose their jobs as a result of the changes, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

President Xi Jinping unveiled a broad-brush outline of the reforms this week, seeking further modernisation of the command structure of the world's largest armed forces to better enable it to win a modern war, reports Reuters.

Xi is determined to modernise the military at the same time as China becomes more assertive in its territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. China's navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers, while the air force is developing stealth fighters.

His reforms include establishing a joint operational command structure by 2020 and rejigging existing military regions, as well as cutting troop numbers by 300,000.

China has been moving rapidly to upgrade its military hardware, but operational integration of complex and disparate systems across a regionalised command structure is a major challenge.

So-called paid for services are also going, meaning non-core activities such as military-run hospitals open to the public will be ditched. The military was banned from commercial activities in 1998.

China has previously faced protests from demobilised soldiers, who have complained about a lack of support finding new jobs or help with financial problems.

In an apparent reference to such concerns, Yang said more attention would be paid to looking after those affected by the military's downsizing and "concern shown to resolve real difficulties".

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