Xi Jinping Emphasizes Anti-Corruption and Information Warfare in Military Modernization Drive

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stricter discipline and intensified efforts to combat corruption in the military while urging advancements in information warfare capabilities, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday.

Addressing officers during his first inspection of the military’s newly established information warfare department, Xi highlighted the critical role of modern technology in defense. “The status and role of network information systems in modern warfare are prominent to an unprecedented degree,” Xi said, underscoring the importance of safeguarding military information systems against cyber and electronic attacks.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Information Support Force, created in April as part of the largest restructuring of China’s armed forces since 2015, operates under the powerful Central Military Commission. Its formation signals the Communist Party’s increasing emphasis on non-conventional warfare, including cyber and space operations.

Xi also reiterated the need for an uncompromising stance against corruption within the armed forces. “It is necessary to strictly enforce discipline and crack down on corruption to ensure that the military remains absolutely loyal, absolutely pure, and absolutely reliable,” he said.

The anti-corruption drive in China’s military has led to the removal of at least nine PLA generals and several defense industry executives from the national legislative body since last year. Last week, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that a high-ranking military official was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline.”

As China continues its military modernization efforts, the establishment of the Information Support Force marks a significant shift in its strategy, prioritizing the integration of cutting-edge technologies to address emerging challenges in global warfare.