Amidst heightened and progressively assertive military exercises aimed at showcasing its strength, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the armed forces on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

In his speech preceding the commemoration, President Xi urged the country's military to accelerate its modernization efforts. According to the official Xinhua news agency, Xi emphasized the need for the PLA to enhance its combat capability and readiness.

"We need to push for new equipment and new forces to accelerate forming combat capabilities and integrate into the combat system," Xi told the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force's western theatre command during a visit last Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

Marking the anniversary, an editorial in the official PLA Daily newspaper said the military had "enhanced its ability to carry out diversified military tasks in a wider space".

China has been showcasing its military strength throughout the year with intensified military manoeuvres and drills, coupled with the forthcoming sea trials of its most advanced aircraft carrier. Additionally, China has been strengthening its military ties with Russia. Analysts suggest that these actions may indicate China's response to perceived increased external threats from the United States and its allies, as well as a display of political messages.

Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping stated that the world's lack of peace and the deteriorating external environment have contributed to China's assertive military posture. The Chinese drills have been observed to exhibit higher intensity and frequency.

The United States has also been expanding its regional deployments and enhancing relationships with long-standing allies and emerging partners, which has prompted Chinese officials to call for the U.S. to avoid encroaching on China's coasts to facilitate the resumption of dialogue between the two militaries.

Drew Thompson, a visiting senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, believes that China's military drills convey more of a political message rather than a purely military one.

"Everything the PLA (People's Liberation of Army) does is inherently political," Thompson said. "When the Chinese military conducts an exercise, it is showing force - it is bestowing or sending a message to other countries," he said.

China has been displaying its long-range military capabilities through a series of exercises and patrols from the Sea of Japan to the Western Pacific. The country is also readying its aircraft carriers, with the Shandong being deployed farther into the Pacific. The expected sea trial of the more advanced Fujian carrier is eagerly anticipated by military attaches and analysts.

Additionally, China is fortifying its long-range abilities in the sky, with the J-20 stealth jet fighter taking off with domestically produced WS-15 engines, potentially putting U.S. military bases in the region within its range. The refueling variant of the Y-20 cargo aircraft has also showcased China's strengthening long-distance combat capabilities.

Image source: The Japan Times