Chinese President Xi orders Chinese Army to be battle-ready

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the country’s Army to focus on improving its combat ability and to make sure it is always prepared for battle. Xi delivered an address on Friday to the Central Military Commission — under his control — and urged the troops to boost strategic and tactical planning as well as improve their joint operational capability and readiness to respond to emergencies.

The President’s comments came only two days after he refused to rule out use of force against what he termed as foreign interventions and separatists in Taiwan, to ensure an eventual reunification with the island, which Beijing considers a rebel province.

He told his soldiers to grasp major trends in national security and development, to strengthen awareness of crisis and combat and to make preparations for military operations. Xi also signed his first military order of 2019, giving priority to improving training, with special focus on preparing for combat, drills, inspection of troops and endurance exercises.