Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in the military

A top Chinese general has vowed to crack down on what he called “fake combat capabilities” in the military, which experts say is likely related to weapons procurement – the focus of corruption investigations.

General He Weidong, the second-ranked vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during a discussion with a People’s Liberation Army delegation on Tuesday, according to minutes from the meeting made available to media.

The discussion was part of the ongoing “two sessions” gathering of China’s legislature and top political advisory body in Beijing.

China’s military has been told to prepare for “stormy seas” ahead. Photo: PLA Eastern Theatre / Weibo

Analysts say the message from He – China’s No 3 military official – was brief and ambiguous, but could relate to the procurement of flawed equipment, and also deception among the ranks during training.

James Char, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said He’s remarks could be to do with “the recent exposés on procurement violations within the PLA”.

Char said they would have implications on the quality of military hardware “and the PLA’s performance on an actual battlefield”.

Fu Qianshao, a former equipment expert with the PLA, said He appeared to be partly referring to the procurement of flawed weapons, which Fu also noted could affect the military’s combat capabilities.

“The weapons and equipment should reach the technical standards,” Fu said. “So counterfeiting will surely have an impact on how they function.”

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There has been a sweeping purge of Chinese military officials in recent months, particularly from the rocket force that oversees the country’s nuclear arsenal, and the equipment procurement units.

Li Shangfu was removed as defence minister in October with no explanation, and from the CMC ahead of the two sessions. Nine generals, including top rocket force commanders, were ousted from the legislature in December, suspected of “violations of discipline and the law” – a euphemism for corruption. And three senior executives from the state-owned aerospace and defence sector were removed from the top political advisory body in December, followed by a prominent rocket scientist in January.

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“Fake combat capabilities” could also refer to “fake” drills that do not reach the standards required, such as “night exercises” being conducted around sunset – something military mouthpiece PLA Daily has reported on in recent years.

The PLA is meanwhile under pressure from Beijing to boost combat readiness, with President Xi Jinping calling for the military to step up “real combat” exercises and training to prepare for “stormy seas” ahead at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising and rivalry with the US is heating up.

Fu, the former PLA equipment specialist, said He’s comments also hinted at the problems with training, and that it “should be conducted according to the actual combat requirements – it must not become a show”.

During the PLA discussion in Beijing on Tuesday, there was more emphasis on loyalty to Xi – who is also chairman of the CMC – than in previous years.

CMC vice-chairman Zhang Youxia noted that ultimate responsibility rested with the chairman and said that would be “thoroughly implemented”, underlining Xi’s tightening grip on the military.

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At another meeting on Wednesday, senior generals also pledged to deepen the anti-corruption drive.

Liu Zhenli, a CMC member, called for stronger efforts to tackle graft and another member, Zhang Shengmin, said the military must “resolutely eradicate the soil and conditions that breed corruption”.

Chen Guoqiang, a member of the PLA delegation, suggested big data and other intelligence tools be used to fight corruption in the military.

South China Morning Post