In a sudden move demonstrating China’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities, Beijing executed its largest army restructuring operation in decades, focusing on technologically-driven strategic forces equipped for modern warfare, as it competes with Washington for military dominance in a geopolitically tense world. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping unexpectedly disbanded the Strategic Support Force (SSF), responsible for integrating military capabilities in areas such as space and cyber warfare. Instead, he established the „Information Support Force“ as the backbone for developing and implementing strategies within the Chinese army. Xi stated, „the new force will play a crucial role in assisting the Chinese army in fighting and winning modern warfare.”
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense indicated that the special security forces had effectively been divided into three units: information support force, aerospace force, and electronic space force, all of which will directly liaise with the Central Military Commission. According to Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian, under the new structure, the People’s Liberation Army of China is divided into four services: army, navy, air force and missile force, in addition to four arms that emerged from the special security forces and joint logistic support force. This move reflects China’s desire to adapt to modern technological advancements and enhance its military capabilities to achieve superiority in modern warfare. The restructuring follows a widespread purge in the People’s Liberation Army, demonstrating China’s commitment to restructuring its army to meet evolving challenges. This move is also part of a broader strategy by China to prepare for what it terms „smart warfare,” seeking to develop and adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing in its military capabilities. The restructuring comes after a wide-ranging purge carried out by Xi in the People’s Liberation Army last year, which targeted powerful generals.
In December last year, China appointed former Navy Commander Dong Jiye as the new Defense Minister, replacing the former minister who had been out of the public eye for four months. His appointment by Chinese lawmakers comes as President Xi Jinping works to strengthen the military as part of his efforts to make China a dominant global power, a goal that has raised concerns among many neighboring countries. The defense minister in China is tasked with dealing with the media and other armies. An important aspect of his job is cooperating with the US military to reduce the risks of conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea, two focal points of tension between the two countries. Prior to becoming commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy and a general in 2021, Dong Jiye served as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command, the main force responsible for combat operations regarding Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. He also served as deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command operating in the disputed South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over most of it.
Just weeks ago, Chinese anti-corruption authorities opened an investigation into a senior executive at the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), one of the country’s largest military equipment suppliers, in a development seen by the Financial Times as a fresh sign of turmoil within the country’s military establishment. The investigation into He Winz Hong, Deputy General Manager of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, a company subject to US sanctions, comes following changes made in the Chinese military last year when the generals leading the missile unit, which the newspaper says controls China’s land-based nuclear missiles, were replaced. The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation closely collaborates with the Chinese military to produce a wide range of high-tech military equipment, including early warning radars. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party and the National Supervisory Commission, in a statement, said that „He Winz Hong is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and investigation.”
China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, comprising 46 electronic research institutes and 26 state-owned companies, employs 200,000 personnel, making it the world’s largest defense group. The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation claims to be the only domestic military industries group in China that „serves all branches of the army, including those operating in space.” In addition to radars, the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation is involved in designing drone swarms, navigation systems, and electronic warfare. The „Hikvision” surveillance equipment group, also subject to US sanctions, is among dozens of subsidiaries of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation. He Winz Hong served as the director of the group’s 11th research institute, which studies solid-state laser detector technology and infrared rays that can be used in precision-guided weapons. Last year, the disciplinary committee stated that „some problems were found, and some evidence was received regarding issues related to some leaders” during previous inspections at the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, leading to „some corrective actions” being taken that year, according to the company. In addition to „Hikvision,” the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation also owns shares in other local groups associated with the military, such as Taiji Computer, Guorui Technology, Sichuang Electronics, and Phenix Optics.
This comes shortly after the Chinese military and state-run media warned that the United States „threatens global security.” This follows days after a Reuters report revealed that Elon Musk’s SpaceX company had manufactured hundreds of artificial spy satellites for a US intelligence agency. Reuters, citing five sources familiar with the program, reported that SpaceX’s Starshield unit is developing a satellite network under an undisclosed $1.8 billion contract with the National Reconnaissance Office. An account managed by the People’s Liberation Army of China on social media platform Weibo stated that SpaceX’s program exposed the “audacity and double standards” of the United States at a time when Washington accuses Chinese technology companies of threatening US security. A Weibo account named Jiang Xinping, managed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, posted a message urging American companies „not to help the wicked do evil.” The account has 1.1 million followers. The post included, „every country in the world must be vigilant and provide protection against the new and larger security threats created by the United States.” In response to the Reuters story, the National Reconnaissance Office acknowledged its mission to develop space surveillance systems but declined to comment on the extent of SpaceX’s involvement.
Meanwhile, China has stated that its forces are on constant readiness after a US military official warned that they are working to build their capabilities to invade Taiwan by 2027. Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Wu Qian affirmed that Taiwan is Chinese territory and is a matter that does not tolerate foreign intervention. According to the American magazine „Newsweek“, China has significantly increased its military activities around the island in recent years, prompting Taipei to redouble its defensive efforts. John Aquilino, the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said during a visit to Japan to reporters that China is working to occupy Taiwan by 2027. Aquilino added that he believes China will continue to rapidly enhance its military capabilities regardless of the economic problems facing the country. His statement aligns with a previous statement by CIA Director Bill Burns, who cited intelligence indicating that Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a timeline for the People’s Liberation Army of China.
The magazine “Business Insider” published a report indicating signs of China’s readiness to carry out a military operation against Taiwan within a few years, pointing to warning signs, especially amidst tensions between the two countries that have reached a boiling point. The report mentioned that while a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be an incredibly complex and dangerous operation, experts are sounding the alarm about China’s preparations, which are likely linked to seizing the island. These preparations include bolstering the Chinese naval forces, stockpiling energy and food supplies, and conducting large-scale military exercises directly off its coasts. Experts suggest that China may be prepared for a confrontation over the island, as the report noted that China has been rapidly modernizing its armed forces over the past two decades. The magazine highlighted that the Chinese navy, for example, has surpassed the size of the US fleet, and its shipbuilding capabilities are the largest in the world. This progress has raised concerns among American military officials and has presented options for Chinese leader Xi Jinping on how to reunify Taiwan, an island with a population of 24 million that Beijing considers a renegade province. However, reports from the Taiwanese, American, and Chinese defense ministries suggest that Chinese ships and aircraft attempting to invade or blockade the island to force its surrender would be highly vulnerable to Taiwan’s arsenal of advanced weapons such as F-16 fighter jets, Patriot missile batteries, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Therefore, the magazine questioned whether China has built an invasion force capable of withstanding the damage from these weapons in what could be the first amphibious invasion in seven decades.
As for the Chinese president, the magazine pointed out that it has been a year and a half since his third term began as China’s leader, and many of his recent moves suggest that China is preparing for war. Xi succeeded in strengthening his control over Hong Kong in 2020, and perhaps he now has his sights set on a bigger prize. „Business Insider” noted that in March of last year, China used the term „peaceful reunification” when referring to Taiwan and announced a 7.2% increase in defense spending. The magazine also indicated that China’s missile stockpile suggests it will have enough missiles and shells to target Taiwan. It explained that food security and energy, such as oil reserves, have been stockpiled for many years. New laws related to civil defense and economic self-reliance suggest that Xi is preparing his people and the Chinese economy for the possibility of war. According to the magazine, military forces are now being deployed closer to Taiwan than ever before, effectively shortening the response time for Taiwan.
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