Reform and innovation are the requirements of the times to realize the Chinese dream and the dream of strengthening the army, and it is also the only way to strengthen the army and rejuvenate the army.

The "Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Promoting Chinese-style Modernization," which was deliberated and adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20 th CPC Central Committee, pointed out that it is necessary to build a new type of structure and layout of services and arms, accelerate the development of strategic deterrent forces, vigorously develop new domains and new qualities of combat forces, and make overall plans to strengthen the building of traditional combat forces.

At this year's National People's Congress and the National People's Congress, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to strengthen the mission, deepen reform and innovation, and comprehensively enhance the strategic capabilities in emerging fields.

On the occasion of the August 1st Army Day, "Micro Observation on Current Affairs" looks at the profound changes brought about by the reform and strengthening of the army to the people's army from the word "new".

-- Fighting power through scientific and technological innovation

Before August 1, 2017, President Xi Jinping presented military flags and delivered speeches to the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, and the National University of Defense Technology.

"To build our army into a world-class army, we must have first-class military talents, first-class military theory, and first-class military science and technology. Science and technology are the core combat strength of modern warfare. ”

If we want to gain the initiative in military competition, we must make greater efforts to promote the rejuvenation of the army through science and technology, and persist in seeking combat effectiveness through scientific and technological innovation.

In July 2020, President Xi Jinping visited the Air Force Aviation University. In the drone laboratory, President Xi inspected the drone control teaching facilities and learned about the training of drone operators. President Xi pointed out that now that a large number of various types of unmanned aerial systems have appeared, unmanned combat is profoundly changing the face of warfare. It is necessary to strengthen the research on unmanned operations, strengthen the professional construction of unmanned aerial vehicles, strengthen the education and training of actual combat, and accelerate the training of unmanned aerial vehicle application and command personnel.

In the more than 70 years since its establishment, the People's Air Force has developed from a "horse-drawn aircraft" and a "substitute for gasoline" to a high-tech service.

During the inspection of the Air Force Aviation University, President Xi said earnestly: "It is necessary to keep up with the development trend of the world's new military revolution, strengthen the presetting of emerging fields, strengthen the construction of cutting-edge disciplines, strengthen the cultivation of new talents, and promote the accelerated incubation and generation of new combat effectiveness." ”

At present, the great changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and a new round of scientific and technological revolution and military revolution is developing rapidly. Emerging fields are new strategic spaces and key technological fields that have emerged with the progress of science and technology and the expansion of the scope of human activities, and have become the main arena of the strategic game between major powers.

The development of emerging fields is fundamentally derived from the innovation and application of science and technology. President Xi pointed out that it is necessary to enhance self-confidence in innovation, adhere to the principle of self-centeredness, proceed from reality, vigorously promote independent innovation and original innovation, and create a new quality of productivity and new quality combat effectiveness growth pole.

In July 2023, at the Changchun Air Show, ·the Air Force's aviation open event, the J-20 was displayed for the first time in a four-plane formation, the Y-20 was displayed for the first time with the J-20 and J-16 in the picture of "five planes in the same frame", and the J-10S and J-11BS were displayed for the first time in a special-shaped aircraft simulated air battle...... The event demonstrated the People's Air Force's ever-changing level of equipment development, the quality and effectiveness of actual combat military training, and the strategic ability to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

– Building a vibrant innovation ecosystem

This is an important moment in the great journey of the people's army to reform and strengthen the army.

On April 19, 2024, the inaugural meeting of the Information Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was held in Beijing Bayi Building. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, President Xi Jinping presented the military flag to the Information Support Force and delivered a speech, extending warm congratulations to all officers and soldiers of the Information Support Force.

President Xi pointed out that the adjustment and formation of the information support force is a major decision made by the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission from the perspective of the overall situation of strengthening the military industry, and is a strategic measure to build a new type of structure and layout of services and arms and improve the system of modern military forces with Chinese characteristics, which is of great and far-reaching significance for accelerating the modernization of national defense and the armed forces and effectively fulfilling the missions and tasks of the people's army in the new era.

While attending the plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) to the National People's Congress and the National People's Congress (NPC), President Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to highlight the reform of emerging fields as a key point for further deepening reform in an all-round way, build an independent, self-reliant, open and integrated innovation ecosystem, and better promote strategic capacity building in emerging fields.

The commander-in-chief commanded, and the whole army obeyed the order.

The People's Army has deepened major cross-military reforms, completed the cross-military reform of the Armed Police Force, strengthened the organization and leadership of the management and support of retired servicemen at the national level, promoted the reform of the national defense mobilization system, and completely stopped paid military service, so as to continue to consolidate and improve the integrated national strategic system and capabilities.

In the course of the exercises and trainings, units of different services and arms that were relatively independent in the past carried out joint exercises and joint training on a regular basis under the dispatch of the theater. Data and information, which was difficult to share in the past, are now efficiently circulated among the various services and arms in the theater. Reconnaisance is no longer "fighting on its own," commanders are no longer "singing their own tunes," and firepower is no longer "fighting each in its own way." They are born one by one with a joint iron fist.

The proportion of the Army in the total number of personnel in the army has dropped to less than 50%; The number of active personnel in non-combat institutions of the whole army has been reduced by nearly half, and the number of officers has been reduced by 30 percent. "New terms" such as composite brigades, air assault brigades, aircraft carrier formations, airborne troops, information support forces, and joint logistics support forces are constantly emerging...... Reform and innovation have promoted the development of the people's army in the direction of substantiation, synthesis, multi-functional, and flexibility.

-- Fully liberating and developing new qualitative combat effectiveness

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping has kept pace with the times and innovated military strategic guidance, scientifically answering the major question of "what war to fight and how to fight".

Inspecting the army organs, he called for "taking the building of new-type combat forces as a breakthrough point, focusing on improving the capabilities of accurate perception, precise command, precise strikes, accurate assessment, and precise support, improving the capabilities of three-dimensional assault, rapid response, and long-range mobility, and enhancing the capabilities of special operations, pulling out points and seizing key points, and strategic sabotage."

Attending the military parade in the South China Sea, he stressed the need to "accelerate the development of new combat forces, focus on building a modern maritime combat system, and strive to enhance the ability and level of carrying out diversified military tasks."

In the summer of 2022, the Bohai Sea is full of white waves. The Liaoning aircraft carrier squadron completed the actual combat training mission in the far sea and returned victoriously.

The officers and men on board recalled that solemn and glorious moment many years ago and were filled with emotion. In August 2013, President Xi boarded the Liaoning ship, climbed the gangway, got off the hangar, went deep into the cabin combat position, inspected the ship's equipment and facilities, inquired about the technical and tactical performance, and learned about the work and training of officers and soldiers.

President Xi exhorted: "You must bear in mind your duties, live up to your mission, build up combat effectiveness and support capacity at an early date, and contribute to building a strong people's navy." ”

Today, 11 years later, our country already has a number of aircraft carriers. In the face of changes in science and technology, in warfare, and in opponents, new combat effectiveness is becoming a key force in the new situation of China's national defense and military modernization.

At this year's National People's Congress and the National People's Congress, from the perspective of the overall situation and strategy, President Xi Jinping made important instructions on comprehensively improving strategic capabilities in emerging fields with a broad vision and profound thinking: "It is necessary to renew our thinking and concepts, boldly innovate and explore new models of construction and application of combat forces, and fully liberate and develop new qualitative combat effectiveness." ”

The consistent and firm will of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces has been continuously transformed into the conscious action of all officers and men in planning and thinking about war, and the excellent ability to fight well.

In recent years, along with the continuous construction and development of the people's army's new combat forces, such as air defense and anti-missile defense, special operations, information confrontation, and underwater attack and defense, the new combat forces have gradually changed from "assisting in the war" to "main battles" and "supporting roles" to "leading roles," and the combat effectiveness of the troops has been further enhanced with the large-scale investment and high-frequency use of the new combat forces.

"Whatever you do, you can't win; Whatever the wisdom of the crowd does, nothing can be done. ”

Standing at a new historical starting point, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the people's army, which has achieved an overall and revolutionary reshaping, is striding towards becoming a world-class and providing strategic support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.