In biggest troop reduction, China to bring army down to 1 million

[Zarvan]

Beijing: China will cut down its present military force of 2.3 million, the world's largest army, to below one million, the biggest troop reduction in the People's Liberation Army's history.

"This is the first time that active PLA Army personnel would be reduced to below one million," said a report in a social media outlet run by PLA Daily.

The article on structural reform in the military said: "The old military structure, where the army accounts for the vast majority, will be replaced after the reform."




In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced a reduction of 300,000 troops in the PLA.

According to the report, the number of troops in the PLA Navy, PLA Strategic Support Force, and the PLA Rocket Force would be increased, while the PLA Air Force's active service personnel would remain the same.

"The reform is based on China's strategic goals and security requirements. In the past, the PLA focused on ground battle and homeland defence, which will undergo fundamental changes," said the WeChat article.

China has cut down its defence spending in the past two years, with the military budget in 2017 remaining seven per cent, lowest hike in more than a decade.

Xi wants a lean but modernised armed forces.

China has been becoming a major sea power and its disputes are more on seas than land.

Of the 14 neighbours, China has land disputes only with India and Bhutan.

According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, PLA had about 850,000 combat troops in 2013.

"This reform will provide other services, including the PLA Rocket Force, Air Force, Navy and Strategic Support Force (mainly responsible for electronic warfare and communication), with more resources and inputs, and the PLA will strengthen its capability to conduct overseas missions," Xu Guangyu, a senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, was quoted as saying by Global Times.

"The PLA must be capable of spotting overseas threats and destroying hostile forces thousands of kilometers away before they enter our 12 nautical mile territorial waters," Xu said.

"China's overseas interests are spread around the world and need to be protected. These are beyond the army's current capabilities," said Xu.

The PLA structure should also fit China's international status, Xu added.

http://zeenews.india.com/world/in-b...-to-bring-army-down-to-1-million-2023186.html

 

[Makarena]

is it the total number of PLA or just PLA Army? Sounds like extreme to bring the total number of PLA to under one million.

 

[Beast]

is it the total number of PLA or just PLA Army? Sounds like extreme to bring the total number of PLA to under one million.

Zeenews from India? What do you expect. They will brag its from PLA mouth piece but fact is they don't even know a word of Chinese and spin whatever they want.

 

[帅的一匹]

Fake news

 

[Afzal2010]

Does make sense. China doesn't really send its armed forces to occupy territory for personal gain. China needs a strong navy and a stronger airforce together with a good few regiments of special ops for any threats to its investments. Apart from that, a one million man army would suffice

 

[Beast]

Does make sense. China doesn't really send its armed forces to occupy territory for personal gain. China needs a strong navy and a stronger airforce together with a good few regiments of special ops for any threats to its investments. Apart from that, a one million man army would suffice

Please dont comment on area that is out of your expertise. China has a massive land border unlike USA which has a Canada colony on North and southern weak Mexico. Their biggest threat comes from sea.

As some other mention, Fake news and fake translation of the original PLA daily.

 

[ito]

Salaries to 2.3 million soldiers should take major chunk of their defense budget leaving little for capex and modernization. I say good decision by china. You don't require more than a million troops.

 

[Zsari]

Salaries to 2.3 million soldiers should take major chunk of their defense budget leaving little for capex and modernization. I say good decision by china. You don't require more than a million troops.

Actually personnel cost is roughly 1/3 of Chinese defense budget.

 

[seesonic]

Please dont comment on area that is out of your expertise. China has a massive land border unlike USA which has a Canada colony on North and southern weak Mexico. Their biggest threat comes from sea.

As some other mention, Fake news and fake translation of the original PLA daily.

Your bordering nations are just as weak, with the expectation of Russia and India.

In the age of information warfare, having a vast amount of land troops is a burden for any nation.

Your mentality is still at Mao's era. Now its Xi's era. "Expertise" you say

 

[Beast]

Your bordering nations are just as weak, with the expectation of Russia and India.

In the age of information warfare, having a vast amount of land troops is a burden for any nation.

Your mentality is still at Mao's era. Now its Xi's era. "Expertise" you say

You too mention India and now we have stand off with India. Does that make your comment invalid? Thanks for shooting your own foot.

During Mao Era, we have 6 million soldier. Now we have 2.35 million. It is already a good target achieve.

 

[Makarena]

Zeenews from India? What do you expect. They will brag its from PLA mouth piece but fact is they don't even know a word of Chinese and spin whatever they want.

I think as usual indian media misunderstand the Chinese press release. I think it make sense if China want to reduce the number of PLA Army to below one million, not the total number of PLA, which I believe will probably at least above one million. The current number of 2.3 million soldiers sound like inefficient, considering that China is preparing to fight a limited warfare under hi-tech condition in the future. As for border security, I think it is better to leave it to PAP which I suspect will increase the manpower significantly to compensate for the reduction in PLA. Just my two cents.

 

[Beast]

I think as usual indian media misunderstand the Chinese press release. I think it make sense if China want to reduce the number of PLA Army to below one million, not the total number of PLA, which I believe will probably at least above one million. The current number of 2.3 million soldiers sound like inefficient, considering that China is preparing to fight a limited warfare under hi-tech condition in the future. As for border security, I think it is better to leave it to PAP which I suspect will increase the manpower significantly to compensate for the reduction in PLA. Just my two cents.

But the Indian claim the whole of PLA including army ,navy and airforce will all go under 1million

 

[Dash]

But the Indian claim the whole of PLA including army ,navy and airforce will all go under 1million

Indian media didnt claim that at all. Please correct your statement.

 

[Beast]

Indian media didnt claim that at all. Please correct your statement.

India spin the news and claim its from PLA daily. Get your fact,right. Can you produce the original Chinese article from PLA daily?

 

[Dash]

India spin the news and claim its from PLA daily. Get your fact,right. Can you produce the original Chinese article from PLA daily?

I dont have time to do your work, but wahtever Indian media said, is not what you quoted.