BEIJING, Nov. 26 -- The Guidelines on PLA Joint Operations(trial) hold a leading, inclusive, and fundamental status as the top-level code of conduct in the combat doctrine system of the new era, and have been an integral part of the reform of military policies and systems, said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
Snr. Col. Ren made the remarks when introducing the Guidelines on PLA Joint Operations(trial) recently issued by the Central Military Commission. The promulgation of the guidelines is mainly due to the major changes taking place in various aspects.
He expounded that China is facing new challenges in terms of national security, threatened by the growing hegemonism, power politics, unilateralism and rampant terrorist and separatist activities. With the accelerated development of weapons and equipment characterized by higher precision, intellectualization, stealth, and unmanned operation, the joint operations have become a basic combat form. In addition, China has basically completed the national defense and military reform of the leadership and command systems, scale, structure and force composition, which promoted the joint operations of the Chinese military to a new stage. The combat codes of conduct must adapt itself to these new changes.
When asked about the differences and innovative points of the guidelines compared with the previous combat regulations, Snr. Col. Ren said that it has taken a brand-new perspective to understand and design future warfare.
To be specific, the guidelines plan and design ahead of time to answer such major questions as "what wars to fight and how to fight" in the future from the institutional perspective after thoroughly studying the traits and laws of future warfare, systematically summarizing the practical experience of the Chinese military over the past few years.
The guidelines focus on new missions and tasks of consolidating the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system, safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, protecting China's overseas interests, and promoting world peace and development.