At a recent training session in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on top military officials to bring back and uphold the Communist Party’s core values. With the People's Liberation Army getting ready to mark its 100th anniversary, this call signals a push to boost ideological loyalty and discipline among the troops.

Reviving Party Traditions in the Military

At a high-profile training event held at the National Defense University in Beijing, President Xi Jinping, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized that senior military leaders must take the lead in restoring the Party’s time-honored traditions. The session, which gathered key military officials, focused on reinforcing the revolutionary spirit and political discipline expected from China’s armed forces.

In his speech, Xi stressed the military’s ties to the Party’s Marxist roots and made clear that the CPC stands for the fundamental interests of the majority, not personal gain. He stressed that corruption and selfish behavior have no place within the military and that officials should reject any impulses that separate them from the people they serve.

Fighting Corruption and Promoting Loyalty

A key theme in Xi’s speech was the ongoing fight against corruption in the armed forces. He made it clear that no one is above the law and that all members of the military must be held accountable without exceptions. This message follows previous calls by Xi to purge the military of disloyal elements and corrupt practices.

“There should be no place in the military for those disloyal to the Party and no safe haven for corruption,” Xi said during a March meeting with national lawmakers from the armed forces. The March remarks framed the training session’s focus on ideological and political rectification — a process aimed at reinforcing Party discipline and rooting out misconduct.

Strengthening Revolutionary Identity and Service

Xi urged military officials to shed any bureaucratic airs and reconnect with their identity as revolutionary service members. This means embracing the Party’s principles in both thought and action and leading by example.

The aim is to keep the armed forces pure and honorable as they tackle new challenges.

Xi emphasized unity and solidarity, showing a vision of a modern military loyal to the Party. He linked this vision to the 'Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,' a guiding ideology that shapes both the Party and the military’s direction.

The aim is to prepare the PLA to become a world-class military force, capable of meeting China’s strategic ambitions.

Looking Ahead to the PLA Centennial

The upcoming centenary of the military sets the stage for these fresh calls for discipline and loyalty. The centennial represents not just a celebration of past achievements but also a chance to recommit to the Party’s values amid evolving geopolitical tensions.

Xi’s insistence on ideological training and political rectification suggests that the Party sees the military’s role as central to China’s future. This training session’s timing shows the leadership’s desire to ensure that the PLA is politically reliable and combat-ready as it marks 100 years since its founding.

While the speech targeted military officials, its impact extends into wider Chinese society. The Party’s message is clear: loyalty to the CPC and rejection of corruption are priorities in all sectors, especially those tied to national security.

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