China's army hail Xi's strategy to enhance maritime security

Top echelons of the Chinese military have backed President Xi Jinping's strategy to beef-up maritime security to assert Beijing's territorial rights amid increasing tensions with Japan and the Philippines over disputed islands.
The high-ranking officers of the 2.3 million strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) have voiced support for Xi's instruction of building a strong military, official media reported.
The PLA Daily, a mouthpiece of the military, published articles by chiefs of seven military area commands, the air force and senior leaders of the navy, the second artillery force, expressing support for Xi's policy.
The use of air force at sea must be strengthened to safeguard China's maritime rights and tackle various threats from the ocean, Air Force commander Ma Xiaotian said.

"We must ensure to fulfill our mission effectively as soon as Chairman Xi and the CMC (Central Military Commission) give an order," Ma said in his article.
His comments came as some military officials are cautioning against likely war between China and Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

A retired senior PLA officer Major General Luo Yuan has said that war with Japan over the disputed islands is becoming increasingly likely after Beijing established its first air defence identification zone last November in the East China Sea to include the disputed Islands.
"China should remain in a high state of vigilance because Japan has a history of creating small incidents that triggered military conflicts," he said.

China is also having serious problems with the Philippines which has approached the UN for arbitration over Beijing's claims on Spratly islands in the South China Sea.
China said it will not recognise third party arbitration and criticised the US for supporting Manila's stand.
Supporting Xi's military strategy, Tian Zhong, deputy commander of the Chinese navy, said efforts will be made to developing new combat platforms and weapons for strikes, and improve information support during maritime wars.
The top military officials voicing their support to Xi, who emerged the most powerful Chinese leader last year, heading the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the Presidency and military.

The Political department of the Chinese military said the leadership of the CPC over the armed forces must be guaranteed as it is important politically for the nation and is aimed at maintaining the interests of the people.
Wu Changde, deputy director of the general political department warned of challenges to the leadership, including hostile forces' infiltration into the military as well as the changing social environment and construction of the PLA, he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.