Xi urges new strategy for information warfare

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more innovation in the country’s armed forces and a new strategy for “information warfare” in the midst of a global “military revolution”, reported the official Xinhua news agency.

At a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party Central Committee on Friday, Mr Xi said Chinamust strive to establish a new military doctrine, institutions, equipment systems, strategies as well as tactics and management modes for information warfare, said Xinhua.

Mr Xi, who is head of the party and the 2.3 million-strong military, the world’s largest, made these remarks amid escalating tension on intelligence issues with the United States. His announcement could also rattle many of China’s rivals.

Officials in Washington have argued for years that cyberespionage is a top national security concern, while China and the US have confronted each other publicly about the issue.

In May, Beijing said it would take action against Washington for prosecuting five of its military officers for alleged hacking into American companies to steal trade secrets. That same month, the US charged the five with economic espionage.

A hacking attempt on a sensitive Canadian government computer network last month was similar to attacks mounted by an elite Shanghai-based unit of the Chinese army, said a cybersecurity expert. China has denied those charges, saying it is also a victim of cyberattacks.

Online attacks from a “specific country” have targeted Chinese firms, its military and important websites, said a Ministry of National Defence spokesman in May.

Mr Xi urged party members to be more aware of military issues, defence and military building as well as military preparedness, and to give more support to China’s national defence and military reforms, reported Xinhua.

He added that China should liberate ideas and concepts, have the courage to change fixed mindsets on mechanised warfare and establish the ideological concept on information warfare.

Even while Mr Xi said China must vigorously promote military innovation, he warned that it would be difficult. “When you compare military innovation to other forms of innovation, the demands are greater and there will be a higher degree of difficulty.”

Beijing is also stepping up efforts to modernise forces that are projecting power across disputed waters in the East and South China Seas.

To counter Beijing’s growing military might, Japan’s Defence Ministry is seeking a record budget for the year, as it seeks to bolster its defence of remote islands claimed by both nations.

China said in March that it would increase its defence budget by 12 per cent — its biggest rise in military spending in three years — a strong signal that it would not back away from its growing assertiveness in Asia, especially in disputed waters.

The rise in spending appears to reflect Mr Xi’s desire to build what he calls a strong, rejuvenated China, though the country has not fought a war in decades. The Chinese President also recently urged military leaders to speed up efforts to get the nation’s sole aircraft carrier combat-ready.

Beijing claims much of the South China Sea, which may be rich in energy and mineral deposits, under its “nine-dash line” map that extends hundreds of kilometres south from Hainan Island to equatorial waters off the coast of Borneo, covering some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

In the East China Sea, Tokyo and Beijing lay claim to a chain of uninhabited islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. AGENCIES