BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for greater defence applications using autonomous and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as he pushes to build an advanced fighting force.
The head of the nation's armed forces singled out the technologies while discussing military modernisation at a study session of the Politburo on Thursday afternoon, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Xi also reiterated the importance of political indoctrination for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), urging efforts to advance the fight against corruption and improve oversight of major projects, the report added.
The instructions from China's leader came as the PLA is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027 — a year Xi has said he wants the military to demonstrate major progress in building a modern fighting force. Even though the defence establishment has been rattled by a widening anti-graft crackdown, the PLA's daily operations and technological advancements appear to have been less affected.
China showcased its second-strike capability earlier this month with the test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. It also appears to be accelerating submarine construction, with commercial satellite imagery indicating the launch of two new types this year at the Jiangnan and Huludao shipyards.
Autonomous capabilities and AI have emerged as a key focus for the PLA, as militaries around the world race to develop drones and AI technologies.
Beijing sees modern warfare as being driven by intelligence, elite forces and joint operations. To achieve these goals, China has deepened military-civilian integration. A Bloomberg analysis identified a mix of state-owned and private firms in China's missile-making ecosystem that provide products ranging from 3D-printed metal and infrared sensors to embedded computers and stealth materials.
At the Politburo study session, Xi repeated the importance of closer integration between the military and civilian industries, calling it "a necessary path" to building a modern army. - Xinhua
