Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening and modernising China’s military while intensifying the country’s anti-corruption campaign within the ruling Communist Party.
Speaking on Wednesday during an event marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Xi told party officials, military leaders and members gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that building a strong and disciplined armed force remained a national priority.
He stressed the need to uphold the Communist Party’s absolute leadership over the military and accelerate the modernisation of China’s defence capabilities.
“We must advance the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces,” Xi said.
The Chinese leader also pledged to sustain the government’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, describing it as a long-term priority for the party.
“We must resolutely wage the critical, protracted and comprehensive battle against corruption,” he told party members.
Xi’s anti-graft drive has led to the removal of several senior military officials in recent years, including two defence ministers within the past three years. The campaign has also significantly reshaped the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s highest military decision-making body, which is now reduced to Xi and one other general after a series of investigations and dismissals.
Analysts have suggested that the extensive purge has raised questions about the operational readiness of China’s armed forces, although Beijing maintains the campaign is essential to strengthening military discipline and governance.
In May, the Central Military Commission announced new regulations aimed at tightening oversight of senior military officers by introducing stricter education, management and supervision measures.
Beyond military reforms, Xi reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governed island remains a historic mission of the Communist Party.
“Resolving the Taiwan question and realising the complete reunification of the motherland is an unswerving historical mission of our party and the shared aspiration of all Chinese people,” he said.
He also called on China to oppose what he described as interference by external forces, without naming any specific country.
The Chinese Communist Party, founded on July 1, 1921, remains the world’s largest political party, with more than 101 million members as of the end of 2025, according to China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
