Xi Jinping pushes for greater military might; lays out roadmap to compete with US by 2027

Amid US-China military tensions which heightened in recent months over disputed South China Sea and Taiwan, Chinese President Xi Jinping and or officials have expressed that Beijing must apply cutting-edge techlogies such as artificial intelligence if it wants to transform its military into a modern fighting force on a par with those of or leing powers.

Xi pushes for military modernisation

statements come from a booklet published this month by state-run People's Publishing House, in which senior officials, including President Xi, outlined latest five-year plan for country's development. military modernisation is being pushed by 67-year-old Xi Jinping, who besides heing ruling Communist Party (CPC) and Presidency is also Chairman of Central Military Commission (CMC), which is overall high command for China's 2-million strong military.

According to a PTI report, China this year approved about USD 179 billion defence budget, second-highest after United States defence spending of USD 732 billion. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) military expenditure figures, China defence spending in 2019 amounted to USD 232 billion. Recent key conclave of ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) has finalised plans to build a fully modern military on par with US by 2027.

By year 2027, which marks centennial of founding of People's Liberation Army (PLA), China will build a fully modern military, a goal that is in alignment with national strength and will fulfil future national defence need, CCP's mouthpiece Global Times quoted Chinese analysts as saying early this month.

RE | Bihar: Tejashwi issues ultimatum; asks CM Nitish to step down after finishing 3rd in polls

RE | PM Modi unveils Swami Vivekananda's statue at JNU; talks ideology, reforms and Brand India

China lays a plan to catch up with US by 2027

Plenary session of ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) heed by Xi, which held a four-day meeting, opted his proposals for formulation of 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Ecomic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives Through Year 2035. Analysts say China's aim is to build an army that is on a par with that of United States.

In an article titled "Speed up Modernisation of Defence and Military" from booklet published by People's Publishing House, Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of CMC, stressed importance of smart techlogies in modernising PLA, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

China claims sovereignty over most of South China Sea area while Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over it.  US in recent months has stepped up naval and aerial patrols over area to assert right of freedom of navigation. Chinese military closely tailed US patrols sparking tensions. China is also concerned over US naval ships to travel through Taiwan straits and high-tech arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its mainland.

RE | Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Active cases fall below 5 lakh; Sachin Pilot tests COVID+ve

RE | Arnab ‘bows down’ to SC, says ‘you protected freedoms’ when ‘democracy was shred apart’