White paper: Chinese army enhances mobility, develops all-dimensional combat capacities

Source: Xinhua | 01-20-2009 11:25

BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese army has enhanced trans-regional mobility and developed three-dimensional offense and defense ability in recent years, says a white paper published on Tuesday by the Information Office of the State Council.

The white paper, entitled China's National Defense in 2008, notes that the Army has made great progress in building its capacity in past years.

The armored troops have made efforts to enhance the integration of information systems with weapon platforms, deploy new battle tanks, and develop heavy, amphibious and light mechanized forces. The armored mechanized troops have been increased in combined operational divisions or brigades.

The artillery forces have been working to develop a three-level operational command system and deploy a series of advanced weapons and equipment. And the air defense troops have deployed a series of advanced ground-to-air missiles, and new types of radar and intelligence and command systems.

In addition, the engineering troops have strengthened capabilities in the fields of accompanying support, rapid barrier breaching, comprehensive protection, counter-terrorist explosive ordnance disposal, emergency rescue and disaster relief. And the chemical defense forces have developed new types of protection forces.

The paper also says the Army aviation wing has become a major combat unit of the Army, and has a three-level administration system. In recent years, it has been working to shift from being a support force focusing on transportation missions to being an integrated combat force focusing on air assault missions, and has actively participated in counter-terrorism, stability maintenance, border control, emergency rescue, disaster relief and joint exercises.

"The purpose is to build a well-equipped and multifunction Army aviation force which is appropriate in size and optimal in structure," says the paper.

Editor:Zhang Ning