China’s last CMC general urges more ‘political rectification’ in PLA centenary countdown

At a panel discussion in Beijing on Thursday as part of the country’s annual “two sessions”, Zhang Shengmin, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said this year was “crucial for fulfilling the goal for the centenary” of the People’s Liberation Army.“We must deepen political rectification, improve Communist Party conduct, fight corruption, and strengthen loyalty to the party’s core and resolute obedience to the command of President Xi Jinping,” said Zhang, the PLA’s top anti-corruption officer.Zhang is the only person on the CMC apart from President Xi Jinping and is part of a much smaller delegation to the annual legislative session.According to the official PLA Daily, Zhang also called for more efforts to improve combat-oriented training and preparedness to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.“It is also necessary to push for high-quality development, step up building integrated combat capabilities, strengthen the development and application of combat capabilities in new domains and of new qualities, and enhance military governance,” Zhang was quoted as saying.