PLA warns of training mismatch with real combat

China's military authority has issued a document detailing 40 problems with current exercises in a move to sharpen the troops' fighting capability.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general staff headquarters listed existing problems with military training by its land, navy, air forces and artillery troops, the PLA Daily newspaper reported Sunday.

The challenges include soldiers' personal problems, current methods and standards of military training and issues of work style in the army.

The issues were singled out based on assessment of troop performance in routine exercises or joint drills with foreign armies, it said.

President Xi Jinping, who heads the Central Military Commission, has repeatedly urged troops to be prepared to win actual battles since taking office in 2012.

"If the problems are not rectified, the PLA's ability to fight and win will be hindered for sure," said the headquarters. "The list will help the army focus on its weaknesses and force them to learn how to fight."