Xi stresses military-civilian integration in new era

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for deeper military-civilian integration in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over a plenary session of the central commission for integrated military and civilian development, which he heads.

Xi said that the 19th CPC National Congress had called for firm resolve in implementing the strategy for military-civilian integration, achieving greater integration and building integrated national strategic system and capabilities.

The meeting deliberated and adopted a guideline on military-civilian integration, a working plan of the central commission for integrated military and civilian development in 2018 and a plan for building innovation demonstration zones of national military-civilian integration with a list of the zones.

"Upgraded as a national strategy at the 18th CPC National Congress, integrated military and civilian development has achieved great development," according to a statement released after the meeting.

The statement stressed the importance of following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and Xi thought on strengthening the military in order to carry out the military-civilian integration strategy.

It also called for focus on key areas such as infrastructure, sharing resources, national defense-related sci-tech industry, weaponry, scientific innovation for civilian and military purposes, nurturing talent, the coordinated development of social service and military logistics, and the modernized mobilization for national defense and integration in other emerging areas.

The meeting urged "prioritizing key areas, having the perseverance to hammer away until a task is done, and making full efforts to complete all tasks in 2018."

It also called for making breakthroughs in key reforms, including in science, technology and industry for defense, equipment procurement, military product pricing, tax revenue and breaking barriers between the military and civilians.

The meeting called for improvement in the rule of law and promoting comprehensive legislation and legislative process in key areas, as well as deeper integration in military and civilian development.

The innovation demonstration zones of national military-civilian integration should focus on institutional innovation, the meeting stressed, urging the solving of systematic obstacles, structural contradictions and policy issues that affect and hinder military-civilian integration.

The meeting also reiterated the combining of top-level plans with local research to make achievements in mechanism, policy, and development mode innovation.

Other senior leaders Li Keqiang, Zhang Gaoli and Wang Huning were also present at the meeting.