China amends defence law in 'national interest'

China can mobilise military and civilian resources in defence of the ‘national interest’ at home and abroad. The country has amended its National Defence Law from January 1 to expand the power of its Central Military Commission (CMC). For the first time, ‘disruption’ and protection of ‘development interests’ have been added to the legislation as grounds for mobilisation and deployment of armed forces, according to South China Morning Post.

As per information the amendments were passed by the National People’s Congress on December 26,2020, after two years of deliberation. Three articles were removed, more than 50 were amended, while there were six additions. The legislation specifically focuses on the need for building a nationwide coordination mechanism for the mobilisation of state-owned and private enterprises to take part in research into new defence technologies covering conventional weapons, as well as the domains of cybersecurity, space and electromagnetics.

Taipei-based military expert Chi Le-yi said the amendments highlighting the use of armed forces to suppress national disruption would be used to target independence-leaning forces in Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory. Experts also opined that the amendments are aimed to strengthen the military leadership under Chinese President Xi Jinping, and providing it with the means to respond to the accelerating confrontations between China and the US.