Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a plenary meeting with the PLA and Armed Police at the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 7, 2026. Photo courtesy of Xinhua News.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of reinforcing political loyalty in the military and advancing the modernization of national defense and armed forces.
Xi, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during a plenary session with the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force at the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
“Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party Central Committee has led the armed forces to improve political rectification and advance political loyalty in the military with unprecedented resolve and intensity, achieving significant results,” Xi said.
“There must be no place in the military for those who are disloyal to the Party, nor any place for corrupt elements,” Xi warned, adding that the fight against corruption must be unwaveringly advanced.
“At the very start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), efforts must be made to establish rigorous rules for strict oversight, and closely monitor key areas such as fund flows, the exercise of power, and quality control,” Xi said.
“It is essential to fully strengthen the Party’s leadership and Party building in the military, and make Party organizations at all levels even stronger,” he said, stressing the need to translate the Party’s leadership strength into development momentum.
“It is important to consolidate the ideological foundation that ensures officers and soldiers follow the Party and its guidance, and ensure that modern weaponry and equipment are placed in the hands of politically committed personnel,” Xi said.
Xi also called for systematically training personnel for joint operations, new types of combat forces, high-level sci-tech innovation, and high-level strategic management. He highlighted the need to vigorously carry forward and promote the fine traditions of the Party and the military.