Chinese general calls for ‘quality weapons’ so PLA can win any battle in ‘complex’ global situation

General Zhang Youxia urges ‘thorough understanding’ of arduous situation facing PLA, in speech to military and other officials meeting in Beijing

Call from Zhang, first vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission headed by President Xi Jinping, comes a month after PLA Rocket Force shake-up

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General Zhang Youxia, first vice-chairman of the PLA’s Central Military Commission, addresses a weapons and equipment meeting in Beijing. Source: CCTV

Published: 10:04pm, 30 Aug 2023Updated: 11:28pm, 30 Aug 2023

A senior Chinese general has called on the military’s procurement and technological development arms to improve the “quality of our weaponry”, so that the People’s Liberation Army can fulfil its modernisation goal and win any battles it may face.

General Zhang Youxia, first vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said advanced arms and better quality control must be the top priority for officers, to protect the lives of troops in case of conflict in an increasingly challenging global environment.

The CMC, chaired by President Xi Jinping, is the top decision-making and command body for the PLA.

“[We must] have a good and thorough understanding of the arduous and complex situation that we face in our struggle,” Zhang told top military personnel and defence-related officials meeting in Beijing earlier this week.

“[We must] do a good job in improving the quality of our weaponry … so we can win any battles, strengthen our combat ability, and protect the lives of our soldiers,” he was quoted as saying by official military paper PLA Daily.