World News
China orders military to be ready for war ‘at any second’…
CHINA has told its military to be ready to “act at any second” amid rising tensions over disputed territories in the South China Sea.
It comes as the UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier is expected to be deployed to the region in the coming months as part of its first operational mission.
Monday saw China’s People’s Liberation Army begin the year’s schedule of military training and exercises.
In his first address to the country’s armed forces of the new year, premier Xi Jinping stressed the need for “full-time combat readiness”.
He also said that current “frontline military struggles” should be used to maintain troops’ preparedness, and that the army must remain ready to “act at any second”.
The comments marked a contrast to last year’s new year address, which encouraged the PLA to “manage crises and deter war”, the South China Morning Post reports.