Xi Jinping Calls For Chinese Army To 'Focus On The Battlefield' During Visit To Military Medical University

During a recent visit to the Army Medical University in Chongqing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on military personnel and students to “focus on the battlefield.”

What Happened: Xi’s visit, which concluded on Wednesday, included an inspection of the university’s academic work in battlefield medicine and its emergency medical equipment, South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday. He was joined by Gen. He Weidong, the second-ranked vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

The Chinese President underscored the need for enhanced logistical support, improved combat effectiveness of troops, and the promotion of the physical and mental well-being of officers and soldiers.

The Army Medical University is known for its expertise in high-altitude military medicine, war trauma medicine, and burn medicine. It is also home to China's only national laboratory for research on injuries including trauma, burns, and composite injuries.

Xi lauded the university’s role in military medical support and China's Covid-19 response. He also encouraged innovative research in specialized medical fields and excellence in military medical science.

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Why It Matters: Xi’s call for a greater focus on the battlefield comes at a time when Beijing is ramping up the war readiness of the People's Liberation Army and allocating more resources to military logistics, personnel training, and key weapons due to a more complex external environment. China's annual military budget has grown by 7.2% annually for the past two years, exceeding the country's 2024 economic growth target of 5%. This increase in military spending aligns with the global trend.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised by the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, over the military aid that Russia's defense sector is receiving from China, North Korea, and Iran. Amid these concerns, China has called for more pragmatic military relations with the U.S., particularly focusing on the sensitive issue of Taiwan.

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