China's military has set up 15 new units — covering everything from logistics to equipment development, political work and fighting corruption — as part of an ongoing drive to modernize the world's largest armed forces, the Defense Ministry said.
President Xi Jinping's push to reform the military coincides with China becoming more assertive in its territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. China's navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers and its air force is developing stealth fighters.
Late last year, Xi inaugurated a general command unit for the army, a missile force and a strategic support force for People's Liberation Army (PLA). The 15 new units follow on from that decision.