Xi Jinping calls for accelerated AI and unmanned tech in Chinese military
Chinese President Xi Jinping told the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to speed up the military use of artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and networked information technologies. He made the remarks at a Politburo study session held on the eve of the PLA’s 99th anniversary, urging the creation of an “intelligent military system” and stressing that combat capability remains the primary measure of modernisation.
Xi also ordered a stronger anti‑corruption drive within the armed forces, tighter supervision of major defence projects and reaffirmed the Communist Party’s absolute leadership over the military. The directives align with China’s targets to complete basic defence modernisation by 2035 and achieve full transformation for the PLA’s centenary in 2027.
Entities: Central Military Commission · Central Military Commission (CMC) · Chinese Communist Party · Chinese Communist Party (CCP) · People's Liberation Army · People's Liberation Army (PLA) · People’s Liberation Army · Taiwan · Xi Jinping · Xinhua News Agency
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The remarks were delivered at a Politburo study session ahead of the 99th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army. (new)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Xi called for strengthening anti‑corruption measures and supervision of major defence projects within the PLA. (Xi)
- [● 12 SOURCES] China aims to complete basic defence modernisation by 2035 and achieve full transformation for the PLA’s centenary in 2027. (Chinese leadership)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Combat capability is the main criterion for measuring military modernisation, according to Xi. (Xi)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Xi urged deeper integration of cyber and information systems into military operations. (Xi)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Xi emphasized the Communist Party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces. (Xi)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Xi Jinping urged acceleration of integration of artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies in the Chinese military. (Xi)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The directive was made during a Politburo study session ahead of the 99th anniversary of the PLA. (Xi)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Xi Jinping urged the PLA to accelerate the military application of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems. (Xi)