 President Hu Jintao was named China's top military chief yesterday, promptly telling the army to prepare for war to safeguard the country's territorial integrity, in an apparent reference to Taiwan. In a move that marked the final step in China's first bloodless leadership transition, Hu, 62, replaced ageing former leader Jiang Zemin, 78, as chairman of the state's Central Military Commission (CMC). He was selected by an overwhelming majority of 2,886 votes to six against and five undecided at a meeting of China's legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC). Hu used his appointment to show China's new leadership intended no let up in its determination to stop rival Taiwan from becoming independent. The president told a meeting of military delegates to the NPC that China's top priority was safeguarding its territorial integrity. "We must ... always place the task of defending national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and safeguarding the interests of national development above anything else," Hu said.
| I'm beginning to think these crazy SOBs are really going to do it. |
Beijing insists that "non-peaceful means" will be used only as a "last resort." Hu indicated that reunifying with Taiwan by force, as Beijing has often said it would do if necessary, was not far from China's mind. "All comrades of the military should correctly understand the situation and resolutely perform the military's historical mission in the new century and the new development stage," he said. "We shall step up preparations for possible military struggle and enhance our capabilities to cope with crises, safeguard peace, prevent wars and win the wars if any," Hu said. The Chinese president had already succeeded Jiang in September as chairman of the Communist Party's CMC, which holds the real power over the world's largest military. Yesterday's appointment marks a further consolidation of power by Hu. With his appointment, Hu has taken over all of Jiang's responsibilities. |