China Stresses Communist Party's Leadership Over Army

Wang Yong Sheng of the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Wang says that the People's Republic of China military will never be de-politicized., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

‘China stresses Party’s leadership over army’

Wednesday, 01 August 2012 00:00
Xinhua News Agency

BEIJING — A Chinese military officer said yesterday that the country will resolutely oppose any erroneous ideas about the depoliticisation of the country’s army, adding that those ideas have “ulterior motives.”

Wang Yongsheng from the General Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) made the remarks at a press conference on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.

“The PLA was founded by, and is under the leadership of, the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the CPC’s absolute leadership over the army is the army’s fundamental system and principle,” said Wang.

He added that the CPC’s leadership over the state and the army has been established through the revolutionary period and practices.

It has also been written into the Constitution.
“Our army belongs to the party, but it also belongs to the state and to the people,” he said.

Wang said a few people in other countries criticise China’s military system. That criticism spreads some erroneous ideas, including ideas that the army should be depoliticised and have no party affiliations, or that the army should be nationalised. Some even suggest the party should end its leadership of the army, according to Wang.

“Those ideas have ulterior motives,” said Wang.

“We will resolutely oppose them.”

Meanwhile, The People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), today carried an editorial hailing the important role of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The editorial says the PLA has been a “strong pillar and an important construction force” in helping to create socialism with Chinese characteristics.

It also says the key to the PLA’s growth was that it revered the Party’s leadership and thus maintained great cohesion.

It is important to promote the scientific development of national defense forces, improve the core military capability of the armed forces and carry out military-related reform in an active yet prudent manner, the editorial said.

The People’s Daily added that the army must strengthen its capabilities in order to help the Party consolidate its ruling status, guarantee security, provide support for safeguarding the country’s interests and maintain world peace. — Xinhua.