BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening and modernising China’s armed forces while intensifying efforts to eliminate corruption within the ruling Communist Party of China, marking the party’s 105th founding anniversary.
Addressing political leaders, military officials and party members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi stressed that building a “strong military” remains a key national priority.
“We must advance the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces,” Xi said, while pledging to “uphold the party’s absolute leadership” over the military.
His remarks come as questions persist over the combat readiness of China’s armed forces following an extensive anti-corruption campaign that has reshaped the military’s senior leadership.
Over the past three years, Xi’s anti-graft drive has led to the removal of two defence ministers and significantly reduced the membership of the Central Military Commission, leaving only Xi and one other general on the commission.
The Chinese leader also vowed to “resolutely wage the critical, protracted, and comprehensive battle against corruption” within the party.
In May, the Central Military Commission introduced new measures aimed at strengthening oversight of senior military officials by establishing “iron rules for strict education, strict management, and strict supervision,” according to Chinese state media.
Xi also reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, describing reunification as a historic objective.
“Resolving the Taiwan question and realising the complete unification of the motherland is an unswerving historical mission of our party and the shared aspiration of all Chinese people,” he said.
Without naming any country, Xi also called on China to “oppose interference by external forces.”
Founded on July 1, 1921, the Communist Party of China had more than 101 million members by the end of 2025, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
