Zhao Xiaozhuo of the PLA Academy of Military Science said decision-making in modern warfare must be "fast and decisive" so as to "grasp fleeting opportunities," which calls for separating military development from the command system.
Zhao said the "CMC - battle zone commands - troops" command system will help the Party and the CMC centralize the leadership, further consolidating the basic principle that "the CPC has absolute leadership of the armed forces."
One of the reform objectives is to form a new leadership body for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) army, the ground troops.
Yang said the PLAA leadership was previously shared by four general headquarters, including those responsible for staff, politics, logistics and armaments.
A new leadership mechanism will strengthen the top-level design of the ground forces, raise management efficiency and step up modernization of the army, he said.
The fact that the PLAA lacks a unified command center is a sign that China's military still holds the "army prevails" thought, which does not fit increasingly complicated warfare demands, said Lou Yaoliang, a military expert.
The old system has gradually fallen out of sync with changing situations, causing fragmentation, redundancy and divided policies, said Yin Zhuo, director of the Expert Consultation Committee of the PLA Navy.
Reorganizing the four general headquarters into various military departments under the CMC will ensure efficient military order, Yin said.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION
Yang said the reform also stresses the importance of regulating power within the military, demanding a strict system to supervise the use of power.
A new discipline inspection commission will be established within the CMC, and disciplinary inspectors will be sent to CMC departments and battle zone commands, according to the reform plan.
The CMC will have an audit office and a political and legal affairs commission. The independent and fair use of judicial power by military courts and procuratorates will be ensured through adjustments to the military judicial system.
Yang said it is important to promote the integrated development of military and civilian sectors as well as economy and defense.
The reform also stresses veteran management and resettlement. Veterans are valuable to the Party and country, he added, as they have completed strict training and important tasks, and they will be granted special job placement policies upon transfer or retirement.
Yang said the termination of all paid services in the military is "an important decision" by the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and Chairman Xi to "purify the air" and ensure the PLA's quality.
