2nd Ld: China's peace commitment unchanged after military overhaul

China's plan to reorganize its military administration structure and command system will not affect the country's defense policy, which is "defensive in nature," a spokesman for the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Yang Yujun said at a press conference that "Chinese armed forces will always be a staunch force to safeguard world peace and regional stability," after President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday that all of China's armed forces will be supervised and controlled by the top military organ, the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Xi said at a meeting attended by more than 200 high-ranking military officials on Thursday that the current regional military commands will be regrouped into new battle zone commands under the CMC.

Xi's announcement in September that the military would cut 300,000 troops "again demonstrated China's resolve to pursue a path of peaceful development," said Yang when asked whether the overhaul means an adjustment to national defense policy.

He said it was intended to "make breakthroughs in military administration and joint operational command, optimize military structure, enhance policy systems and civilian-military integration, and build a modern military with Chinese characteristics that can win computer-based wars."

The meeting, "a milestone in China's military development," was a sign of deepening national defense and military reform, according to Yang.

The spokesman cited "profound and complicated changes in the international situation," the need to "uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics," and "concertedly advance the strategic layout of the Four Comprehensives" as reasons for the reform.

"It will focus on removing systematic barriers that had constrained military development in order to boost modernization of the military as well as cultivate the fighting capacity of troops," he said.

The reorganization will help build a strong military force that suits China's international status, fits its national security interests and provides a guarantee for the "Chinese dream" of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

Yang said the reform also stresses the importance of regulating power within the military, demanding a strict system to supervise the use of power. Decision making, enforcement and supervision powers should be separated and distributed in a manner that ensures they serve as checks and balances on each other but also run in parallel.

A new discipline inspection commission will be established within the CMC, and disciplinary inspectors will be sent to CMC departments and zone commands, according to the reform plan.

The CMC will have an audit office and a political and legal affairs commission. The independent and fair use of judicial power by military courts and procuratorates will be ensured through adjustments to the military judicial system.

Yang said it is important to promote the integrated development of both the military and non-military sectors as well as economy and defense.

To this end, the plan requires a management and operation system that integrates state leadership, coordination between the military and non-military sectors, and market rules.

Yang said the reform stressed veteran management and resettlement. Veterans are valuable to the party and country, he added, as they have completed strict training and important tasks, and they will be granted special job placement policies upon transfer or retirement.

Yang also said the termination of all paid services in the military is "an important decision" by the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and Chairman Xi to "purify the air" and ensure the PLA's quality. Endi