BEIJING, Mar. 15 -- China added four new members to the State Central Military Commission (CMC) yesterday after the National People's Congress ratified new membership for the top military commission which has President Hu Jintao as its chairman.

    Xu Caihou, a former State CMC member, was promoted to vice- chairman of the State top military commission.

    Cheng Bingde, 63, director of the Chinese PLA General Armament Department, Qiao Qingchen, 65, commander of the Chinese PLA Air Force, Zhang Dingfa, 61, commander of the Chinese PLA Navy and Jing Zhiyuan, commander of the Chinese PLA Second Artillery Force, were also granted new membership.

    The commanders of China's Navy, Air Force and Second Artillery Force entered the State CMC for the first time in history, signaling a new phase in the development of China's national defence.

    "It reflected the concept to strengthen the building of China's Navy, Air Force and Second Artillery Force in a time when the elements and forms of modern warfare have greatly changed," said Chen Zhou, a professor with the Military Academy of Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

    The idea to strengthen the building of the navy, air force and second artillery force has been detailed in a white paper China released late last year.

    Xiong Yuxiang, a military expert who participated in drafting the paper said with the incessant development of new and high technology in the military means the elements of modern warfare have changed.

    "We must change according to the modern warfare status," said Xiong. "In the future, the military will be improved in the direction of making the troops smaller but better, more integrated but more efficient."

    After former President Jiang Zemin officially resigned from the chairmanship of the State CMC last week, the top military commission now has 11 members, including Chairman Hu Jintao, Vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong, Cao Gangchuan and Xu Caihou, and seven other members.

    Cheng Bingde, Qiao Qingchen, Zhang Dingfa and Jing Zhiyuan became members of the CPC Central Military Commission last year.

    
(Source: China Daily)