China aims to complete military reform by 2020

BEIJING -- China aims to complete military reform and have armed forces capable of informationized warfare by 2020, according to a five-year military development plan published on Thursday.

In the next five years, China's armed forces will realize "a significant increase of key combat capabilities," said the 13th five-year military development plan (2016-2020), issued by the Central Military Commission (CMC).

By 2020, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will have finished mechanization of all forces and made important progress in incorporating information and computer technology, the document said.

The next five years will lay a solid foundation for the PLA to become a world-class military force, it said.

Priorities include the strategic restructuring of different services, the development of weaponry and logistics, IT facilities, combat training and international military cooperation.

More resources will be directed to projects that enhance combat readiness, facilitate major reforms and improve benefits for servicemen and women.

Lately the PLA has undergone significant restructuring, with the CMC taking charge of overall administration, and theater commands focusing on combat. Different military branches will pursue their own development.

Measures began in December with the inauguration of the general command for the PLA, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force.

Former military headquarters -- staff, politics, logistics and armaments -- were reorganized into 15 new agencies under the CMC.

In February, five PLA theater commands were established, replacing the seven military area commands.