The Global Times (January  4) reported that Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xi Jinping had on January 4, 2019, signed a mobilization order for the training of the armed forces, the CMC's first order in 2019, which demands all PLA units to welcome the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with "excellent performance." Xi Jinping also directed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to 'strengthen its crisis awareness and enhance battle-related activity as the country faces increasing challenges'. Xi Jinping highlighted "The world is facing a period of major changes never seen in a century, and China is still in an important period of strategic opportunity for development" and that various risks and challenges were on the rise. According to Xinhua, he said 'the entire armed forces should have a correct understanding of China's security and development trends, enhance their awareness of danger, crisis and war, and make solid efforts on combat preparations in order to accomplish the tasks assigned by the Party and the people'. According to the state-owned China Central Television (January 4) 'the 2019 order demanding hard work and scientific training of PLA soldiers is aimed at enhancing the capability of killing enemies and accomplishing a new mission in a new era.' Song Zhongping, Beijing-based military expert and TV commentator, was quoted by Global Times as saying  'The military parade to be held in the Tiananmen Square to honor the 70th anniversary will be the most important event in 2019' and it 'will be a demonstration of PLA's real combat capability and its training results since 2018.' He said 'A military that can fight and win a war will be presented then", clarifying "Excellent performance means the capability to always effectively safeguard national security when the military is summoned at any time."

(Comment: This is the second time the CMC is holding a public activity among all PLA units. The first such activity was held on January 3, 2018. The PLA adopted new military training guidelines on January 1, 2018, which asked all units to strengthen real combat training and improve war-winning capability. The military training in 2018 emphasized live-fire exercises, training in real combat environment, improving joint combat capability and adjusting to complicated electromagnetic environment.)