China's military risks losing wars and bringing millennia of shame upon itself if it drags its heels on reform, the army's official newspaper said on Friday, warning that modernization of the armed forces is behind that of advanced foreign counterparts.

President Xi Jinping unveiled a broad-brush outline of the reforms last month, seeking further streamlining of the command structure of the world's largest armed forces, including job losses, to better enable it to win a modern war.

Xi is determined to modernize at the same time as China becomes more assertive in its territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. China's navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers, and the air force is developing stealth fighters.