Taipei, Taiwan — 

During China’s top legislative meetings this year, which wrapped up Monday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered the military to develop what he called “new quality combat capabilities,” a phrase analysts say highlights a focus on the use of artificial intelligence, high-tech and intelligent warfare. It also could signal, they say, plans to build forces of unmanned ships and submarines to support military operations.

At a recent event with representatives from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Armed Police Force who were attending the National People’s Congress, President Xi Jinping discussed the need for the military to improve their combat capabilities in new ways. Xi urged the military to continue their reforms and encourage innovation to strengthen their strategic abilities in developing areas.

At the gathering, six members of the armed forces discussed various subjects including defense capabilities in the digital realm, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and the creation and utilization of unmanned combat abilities.

According to Chung Chieh of the National Policy Foundation in Taipei, Xi’s recent meeting and previous speeches suggest that his concept of “new quality combat capability” pertains to sophisticated combat capabilities.

Chieh reported that Xi’s current objective is to attain rapid integrated development.

Using artificial intelligence, military organizations aim to increase the speed of combat and reduce the time it takes to complete various tasks such as identifying targets and carrying out attacks. This can also include controlling multiple unmanned combat vehicles simultaneously. It is believed that for powerful militaries, gaining mastery over this new mode of combat can give them a strategic advantage.

A recent article in the PLA Daily mentioned that legislators emphasized the importance of prioritizing technology as a fundamental capability to strengthen China’s strategic influence.

A politician named Hao Jingwen discussed the implementation and success of drone swarm technology in air, sea, and land during regional conflicts.

According to Hao, China must recognize the significance of modern warfare’s crucial roles, developing fields, and enhanced combat capabilities. They should also stay informed about their evolving patterns and strategically prepare for using cutting-edge technologies on the battlefield. This includes conducting thorough research in areas like big data, the Internet of Things, and AI, in order to achieve success in future warfare. The PLA Daily reported these statements by Hao.

Ying-Yu Lin, an assistant professor at Tamkang University’s Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, stated that the concept of “new quality combat capabilities” aims to leverage scientific and technological capabilities. However, it is difficult to determine how these capabilities will be applied to meet Xi’s expectations or how extensively they will be utilized in the future.

According to Lin, China is currently determining the best approach for enhancing its quality combat capabilities and has not yet identified what these capabilities will be. In preparation for future technological warfare, China’s training methods and required skill sets will likely differ from previous approaches.

According to Lin, advancements in technology will inevitably result in a shift away from traditional military training methods and a higher demand for skilled professionals. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that these individuals may prefer opportunities with foreign companies or private enterprises rather than joining the PLA.

At the full assembly, Xi stressed the importance of organizing for potential naval conflicts, safeguarding maritime rights and interests, promoting economic growth in the marine sector, and bolstering strategic capabilities at sea.

Experts claim that Xi’s comments indicate China’s desire to establish itself as a significant naval power and assert control over maritime trade routes.

Chieh stated that the combined statements regarding “newly enhanced combat capabilities” and “preparation for naval warfare” indicate that autonomous unmanned ships will be a significant focus for the PLA’s development efforts.

In the future, it’s possible that the Chinese Communist Party will utilize a significant amount of unmanned vehicles, such as unmanned ships and submarines, in the ocean to assist with their maritime operations and maintain control of sea communication routes.

This story was contributed to by Adrianna Zhang of VOA’s Mandarin Service.

Source: voanews.com