The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently marked its 99th anniversary, positioning the organization one year away from its 2025 centenary goals. According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains focused on ensuring that the military remains under its direct and absolute command. This strategy is rooted in historical precedents established by Mao Zedong, specifically the 1929 Gutian Congress, which codified the principle that the Party commands the gun.

To maintain this alignment, the CCP utilizes a combination of ideological training and rigorous anti-corruption drives. These internal efforts are designed to ensure that military leadership remains loyal to the Party’s broader strategic vision. While the military has evolved significantly in terms of technology and operational capacity, the fundamental structure of political oversight has remained consistent since the early days of the revolution. The current focus is on preparing the military to meet the specific milestones set for its 100th anniversary, which include modernization and increased combat readiness. By linking current military strategy to these historical foundations, the Party seeks to prevent any deviation from its political objectives, ensuring that the armed forces function as an extension of the CCP’s governance rather than an independent institution.