For decades, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was often defined by its rigid hierarchies and a culture of 'welcoming and sending'—extravagant ceremonies, floral displays, and banquet-style hospitality for visiting or departing officers. However, a new wave of 'political rectification' is sweeping through the ranks, replacing red carpets with maps and tea-only briefings. This shift is not merely about frugality; it is a calculated effort to strip away the bureaucratic 'peace disease' that has long plagued China’s military modernization.
At a recent leadership handover in a PLA Army brigade, the transformation was palpable. Instead of the traditional fanfare, the outgoing and incoming commanders met in a room devoid of fruit or flowers, accompanied only by a single cup of green tea per person. The discussion was notably 'spicy,' featuring direct, constructive criticism from subordinates—a practice known as 'criticism and self-criticism'—designed to ensure that leadership transitions focus on five-year development plans rather than interpersonal favors.
This aesthetic of austerity extends to the Air Force, where the focus of ceremonies has shifted from high-ranking generals to the frontline aviators. During a recent retirement ceremony for veteran pilots, unit leaders intentionally stood in the periphery of the official photographs, insisting that the 'C-position' (the center of the frame) be reserved for the pilots. This symbolic shift away from leadership-centrism is intended to reinforce a meritocratic 'combat-first' culture, removing the 'leader-only' seating policies once common in military cinemas and mess halls.
Perhaps the most telling example of this new ethos occurred on the shores of Bohai Bay, where a brigade returning from a three-month training mission conducted a 'silent return.' In a move reminiscent of the Red Army’s discipline during the 1940s, the unit entered their home base at midnight without sirens, banners, or celebratory drums to avoid disturbing the local population. This 'midnight march' highlights the Party’s desire to reconnect with its revolutionary roots, emphasizing the 'Mass Line' and the idea that the military must be a quiet, efficient instrument of the state.
Ultimately, these reforms are part of the 'Deepening Political Rectification' initiative, a cornerstone of Xi Jinping’s military strategy. By curbing 'vulgar' interpersonal customs and formalism, the PLA aims to convert the energy previously spent on administrative vanity into raw combat readiness. The message to the ranks is clear: in the modern PLA, your value is measured by your readiness to fight, not by the quality of the tea you serve to your superiors.