The People's Liberation Army (PLA) -- the armed forces of the Communist Party of China (CPC) -- will be subjected to even greater control and communist indoctrination by the CPC this year and in the future, announced Chinese premier Li Keqiang to delegates at the ongoing fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

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This tightening of conformity in an armed forces notorious for a glaring lack of professionalism and initiative in the ranks appears to be the CPC's answer to the strategic challenges posed by a resurgent United States military, and a dangerous slowdown in economic growth that will stoke civil instability.

Li's main message to the troops again is the Communist Party is god.

"The government will uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and uphold and implement the system whereby the Chairman of the Central Military Commission assumes overall responsibility over military affairs," said Li.

Chinese president Xi Jinping is Chairman of the Central Military Commission that exercises absolute control over the PLA.

Li said the central government in Beijing will pursue the CPC's goal of strengthening the PLA "in a new era."

"The government will work to build them (the PLA) through political work, strengthen them through reform, and ensure they are run by law," according to Li.

On the more mundane business of protecting the Chinese state, which is only the secondary role of the PLA behind protecting the CPC and its members, the PLA will see its military training and preparedness boosted "so as to ensure that the sovereignty, security, and development interests of China are resolutely and effectively safeguarded."

"The government will continue to deepen reforms in national defense and the armed forces," noted Li.

"The government will strengthen maritime and air defense as well as border control and ensure that important operations related to countering terrorism, safeguarding stability, international peacekeeping, and providing escort in high seas are well organized."

Li pointed out the PLA achieved major breakthroughs in the reform of national defense in 2016, "and made fresh progress and new achievements in our work to make the military more revolutionary, modern, and well-structured."

The CPC apparently hasn't forgotten the dominant role of advanced technology in the future battlefield. It pledged to enhance the CPC's capacity for innovation in defense-related science and technology and to step up the development of advanced logistics and equipment. 

TagsPeople's Liberation Army, PLA, Communist Party of China, CPC, Li Keqiang, 12th National People's Congress, Xi Jinping, Central Military Commission