- Xi inspects the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force Brigade.
- The People’s Liberation Army is tasked with modernizing nuclear forces.
- China launched a ballistic missile.
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the country’s strategic missile forces to strengthen their deterrent and combat capabilities, state media reported. Xinhua reported Saturday.
Xi made the remarks while inspecting a brigade from the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force on Thursday, where he also urged the troops to “firmly fulfill the tasks entrusted to them by the Party and the people.”
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees the country’s conventional and nuclear missiles, is tasked with modernizing China’s nuclear forces in the face of developments such as improving US missile defenses, improving surveillance capabilities and strengthening alliances.
During the inspection, Xi stressed the need to “adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility,” and “promote high-quality development of force construction,” according to Chinese media. Kailianshi.
Last month, China conducted a rare test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean, highlighting the growing international focus on China’s nuclear buildup.
China’s military has been undergoing a massive anti-corruption purge since last year, with several generals, including from the missile force, and air defense industry executives removed from the national legislature.
In June, Xi said there were “deep problems” in the Chinese military’s policy, ideology, work style and discipline, adding that “there should be no hiding place for corrupt elements in the army.”