More On: Chinese Conduct
Ready for war! China's President Xi orders his soldiers to be prepared for combat 'at all times'
The Sources of Chinese Conduct: A Debate
China's state TV has shown off footage of Chinese troops taking part in live-fire military drills after President Xi Jinping ordered his soldiers to be ready for war 'at all times'.
The country's two million or so soldiers 'jumped into action' upon receiving their leader's instruction to get themselves prepared for combat, reported China's state media.
Xi urged members of the Chinese People's Liberation of Army, the world's largest army, 'not to fear death' in a mobilisation order signed by him on Monday.
Dramatic footage released by the country's official TV channel shows mask-donning soldiers standing in formation as they receive the directive signed by their leader.
The Chinese land, air and naval forces engaged in training sessions 'enthusiastically' as soon as the order was issued, according to the video released by China Central Television through its social media account.
The minute-long clip shows armed soldiers running, jumping out of military aircraft and hunting for enemies in mock battles.
It also shows multiple warships sailing and opening fire, rows of military tanks initiating attacks and missiles being launched during intense exercises reported to take place across the country.
On Monday, Xi commanded his troops to step up training in 'real combat conditions' to ensure their combat readiness and abilities to win battles, according to a script of his order released by Xinhua News Agency.
Xi is the head of the Chinese military. He serves as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
In the first order from the CMC in 2021, Xi called on the People's Liberation of Army (PLA) not to fear hardship or death.
He demanded all servicemen sharpen their fighting spirit and perfect their combat skills to welcome the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China this year.
Military commanders must strengthen joint operations in combat and training for soldiers across different fields and services, Xi added.
Observers suggested that Xi's latest order showed the leader's intention to boost the PLA's capability of winning a war at all cost.
Speaking to South China Morning Post, Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said: 'China is indeed facing a great risk of war, which has been seriously implied in this order.'
Xi regularly uses feisty words in addresses to his armies to ensure that all soldiers are on standby for potential military conflicts.
In November, he also urged his troops not to fear death and to prepare to win wars while addressing military commanders.
Xi has previously called for military readiness amid spiking political tensions between China and other countries, particularly the US and self-ruled Taiwan, over coronavirus pandemic, territorial disputes and human rights.
