Strengthen the Military’s Political Commitment in the New Era

Strengthen the Military’s Political Commitment in the New Era*

June 17, 2024

We must uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, implement the strategy for strengthening the military’s political commitment in the new era, and closely align with contemporary requirements. With a keen focus on fulfilling its centenary goal by 2027, our military should embrace extensive self-reform, reinforce political work, establish politically committed and capable Party organizations, and cultivate high-caliber officials who are loyal, upright, and competent in shouldering the mission of making the military stronger. Ultimately, this will provide an ironclad political guarantee for strengthening our armed forces.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, in addition to convening the Gutian Conference on Military Political Work, the Party Central Committee has resolved to improve political work in the armed forces through rectification initiatives and to exercise full and rigorous governance over the Party and the military. Our determination is unparalleled and our efforts unprecedented. As a result, historic progress has been made in strengthening the military’s political commitment in this new era. Without revolutionary forging in the political realm, the great transformation of the people’s armed forces in the new era would not have been possible.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have explored new theories and innovative practices in military political work, formulated a strategy for strengthening the military’s political commitment in the new era, and established the following principles:

• Political commitment is the soul of the armed forces.
• Political work remains the lifeline of the armed forces.
• Clearing up confusion and misunderstandings is the primary focus of our political work.
• Ideological leadership forms the foundation of all types of leadership.
• The strength of the Party and the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the armed forces come from strong Party organizations.
• Command of the armed forces should always be in the hands of those who are reliable and loyal to the Party.
• Only rigorous governance ensures good discipline, high morale, and combat effectiveness.
• There must be no sanctuary for corrupt elements within our ranks.
• Only excellent conduct can cultivate valiant troops.
• Unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people is essential for victory.

The strategy for strengthening the military’s political commitment in the new era must be comprehensively and accurately studied, resolutely implemented, and continuously enriched and developed in practice.

As things stand, the world, the country, the Party, and the military are experiencing complex and profound changes. Our armed forces are facing multifaceted political tests. We must meet the requirements of the era and continue to strengthen the political commitment of our military. This will ensure that our people’s military maintains its inherent nature, upholds its fundamental purpose, exhibits unwavering determination to triumph in every battle, remains united and resolute in its endeavors, nurtures a steady stream of talented individuals, maintains the utmost purity, strives for glory, and strictly adheres to laws and discipline. We must always fortify the political strengths of our military in the new era.

The deep-seated issues that require resolution are evident in the realms of politics, ideology, organization, conduct and discipline. These issues stem from weakened convictions in ideals, commitment to the Party, and compliance with official ethics. Officials at all levels, especially those in senior positions, should involve themselves in political work, set aside any propensity for face-saving, and expose their own shortcomings and mistakes. Digging deep into the roots and touching the very soul, they should engage in profound reflection, take remedial actions, address problems of ideology, and seek out in-depth and practical means to strengthen the military’s political commitment.

Reinforcing political work in the military on our new journey should be directed towards six key areas.

First, engaging in conscientious and thorough ideological transformation. We should be equipped with the Party’s latest theories, engage in the study of original works and articles, understand the underlying principles, apply acquired knowledge to practice, and act upon our beliefs. It is crucial that senior officials receive education first, establish an effective political education system in the military, and implement a results-oriented approach for evaluating outcomes.

Second, strengthening Party organizations’ abilities to lead, to organize, and to implement. We should improve our political acumen, understanding, and capacity to deliver, bolster combat readiness, and extend the Party’s leadership across all domains and throughout the entire process of military preparedness. The principle of democratic centralism will be strictly enforced. The procedures for discussion and decision-making within Party committees will be optimized, with a greater emphasis on consultation and evaluation in the process of making significant decisions. In addition, the responsibilities of Party secretaries, who serve as the primary individuals accountable for internal Party governance, should be further strengthened.

Third, bolstering the ranks of military officials. We should apply the Party’s organizational guidelines for the new era, instill a comprehensive and precise understanding of the criteria for exemplary military officials, and complete the integration of these criteria into all aspects of work related to officials. We should improve the assessment of officials to ensure a more accurate identification and evaluation of their qualities and professional competencies. The team of officials should be comprehensively improved to augment its overall efficiency, with a strategic focus on training military personnel possessing strong command capabilities.

Fourth, removing the breeding grounds for corruption. We must consistently and rigorously combat corruption, and systematically address both its symptoms and root causes. This entails strengthening the primary responsibility of Party committees, boosting the supervisory role of commissions for discipline inspection, and reinforcing scrutiny by sector-specific departments to expand and intensify our anti-corruption efforts. We need to improve the mechanisms for allocating power and keeping it in check, develop new tools to combat emerging forms of corruption and covert corruption, and reinforce comprehensive supervision over senior officials’ performance of duties and exercise of power.

Fifth, encouraging service personnel to dedicate themselves to their work. We should establish a rational performance evaluation system and regularly update the list of problems reflecting form over substance and bureaucratism. In addition, we need to reduce excessive meetings, events, documents, working groups, and inspection and rating activities, to alleviate the burden on primary-level units. The “last kilometer” of the implementation of policies and institutions, such as those ensuring the welfare of military personnel, should be completed in order to effectively address problems at the primary level, increase the sense of belonging of officers and soldiers, and improve their overall wellbeing.

Sixth, restoring and promoting the fine traditions of political work in the military. We should adhere to seeking truth from facts and bear in mind that example is better than precept. Officials at all levels, especially senior ones, should lead by example and set good precedents, inspiring and motivating the troops with their excellent conduct and image.

Strengthening political commitment of the military is a collective responsibility shared by all members of the armed forces. The Central Military Commission should strengthen unified leadership, while its Political Work Department, Discipline Inspection Commission, and Political and Legal Affairs Commission should expand coordination and cooperation. All units and departments must fulfill their duties, make new progress in strengthening the military’s political commitment, and forge an even stronger and more heroic military under the leadership of our Party, so that in 2027 we will welcome the 100th anniversary of its founding with peerless achievements.

* Main points of the speech at a meeting of the Central Military Commission on political work held in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)