Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com President Xi Jinping has begun plans to streamline the antiquated People’s Liberation Army’s command-and-control systems, which are poorly equipped to handle modern warfare. Xi, who is Chairman of the policy-setting Central Military Commission pointed out at a meeting of senior generals early this week (Sept. 22) that the PLA “must […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to Beijing will be remembered as the first time that People’s Liberation Army generals publicly lectured a top official of the United States. Responding to remarks made by Hagel earlier this week about the U.S. standing by Japan and other Asian allies against […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com After nabbing “big tigers” such as former Politburo member Bo Xilai and at least five former executives of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), President Xi Jinping seems to be moving his anti-graft campaign to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its sister unit, the People’s Armed Police […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com The likelihood of an at least small-scale military conflict between China and Japan over the Diaoyu-Senkaku islands has increased dramatically. Latest reports from Beijing say that General Secretary Xi Jinping, who is also commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has given orders to deploy more short- to […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com Less than one month after becoming general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the country’s commander-in-chief,Xi Jinping has displayed a flair for catchy slogans — and superior public-relations skills. The new chairman of the policy-setting Central Military Commission has also demonstrated a readiness to project China’s […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com One of the biggest foreign and national security questions regarding the new Chinese Communist Party leadership is whether newly anointed General Secretary and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping will sponsor a foreign “adventure” to consolidate his relatively weak power base. Historical parallels are not lacking. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com President Hu Jintao has clawed back some territory with a reshuffle of the People’s Liberation Army’s top brass that largely tallies with the wishes of the 69-year-old supremo. It seems likely that Hu will remain chairman of the policy-setting Central Military Commission (CMC) for a couple more years […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com Even as the world awaits new foreign-policy initiatives expected after leadership changes at the 18th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress this fall, Beijing has significantly fine-tuned its policy toward the Asia-Pacific arena. A leitmotif of the far more aggressive foreign and military policies crafted by President and military […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — Ri Yong-Ho, the most ardent supporter of late North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Il’s “military-first” policy, was purged because he had complained about youthful new ruler Kim Jong-Un’s push for policy changes, sources and officials in Seoul say. But Ri’s dismissal could encourage his supporters and hardline […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com While Hu Jintao’s tenure as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) won’t end until the 18th Party Congress in October, he has already delivered a tough farewell speech to the Party faithful. The occasion was a special study session of Party dogma for top Party, government […]