continue to strengthen the building of the reserve force, optimize its structure, and increase its proportion
in the PLAN, PLAAF and PLASAF as well as in combat support forces. The ways to organize and employ
reserve forces will be more diversified. China will devote more efforts to science and technology in
national defense mobilization, be more readily prepared for the requisition of information resources, and
build specialized support forces. China aims to build a national defense mobilization system that can
meet the requirements of winning informationized wars and responding to both emergencies and wars.
V. Preparation for Military Struggle
Preparation for military struggle (PMS) is a basic military practice and an important guarantee for
safeguarding peace, containing crises and winning wars. To expand and intensify PMS, China’s armed
forces must meet the requirement of being capable of fighting and winning, focus on solving major
problems and difficulties, and do solid work and make relentless efforts in practical preparations, in order
to enhance their overall capabilities for deterrence and warfighting.
Enhancing capabilities for system-vs-system operations based on information systems. China’s armed
forces will quicken their steps to transform the generating mode of combat effectiveness, work to use
information systems to integrate a wide range of operational forces, modules and elements into overall
operational capacity, and gradually establish an integrated joint operational system in which all elements
are seamlessly linked and various operational platforms perform independently and in coordination.
China’s armed forces will endeavor to address the pressing problems constraining the capabilities for
system-vs-system operations. They will make further exploration and more efficient utilization of
information resources, strengthen the building of the systems of reconnaissance, early-warning and
command and control, develop medium- and long-range precision strike capabilities, and improve the
comprehensive support systems. In accordance with the requirement of being authoritative, streamlined,
agile and efficient, they will strive to establish and improve the CMC command organ and theater-level
command systems for joint operations.
Pushing ahead with PMS in all directions and domains. Due to its complex geostrategic environment,
China faces various threats and challenges in all its strategic directions and security domains. Therefore,
PMS must be carried out in a well-planned, prioritized, comprehensive and coordinated way, so as to
maintain the balance and stability of the overall strategic situation. China’s armed forces will make overall
planning for PMS in both traditional and new security domains, and get ready to safeguard national
sovereignty and security, protect the country’s maritime rights and interests, and deal with armed conflicts
and emergencies. To adapt to the upgrading of weaponry and equipment as well as changes of
operational patterns, China’s armed forces will further optimize battlefield disposition and strengthen
strategic prepositioning.
Maintaining constant combat readiness. China’s armed forces will continue to improve its routine combat
readiness, maintain a posture of high alertness, and conscientiously organize border, coastal and air
defense patrols and guard duties. The PLAA will improve its combat readiness system with interconnected strategic directions, combined arms and systematized operational support, so as to ensure
agile maneuvers and effective response. The PLAN will continue to organize and perform regular combat
readiness patrols and maintain a military presence in relevant sea areas. The PLAAF will continue to
observe the principles of applicability in peacetime and wartime, all-dimensional response and full
territorial reach, and maintain vigilant and efficient combat readiness. The PLASAF will continue to keep
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