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China closes military newspapers as part of reform program

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In this Dec. 31, 2015 photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, front left, gives a military flag to Wei Fenghe, front center, commander of the Rocket Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Wang Jiasheng, front right, political commissar of the Rocket Force, in Beijing. China has created three new military bodies as part of reforms to modernize its military - the world's largest standing force - and improve its fighting capacity. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP) NO SALES
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BEIJING, Jan 21: China's armed forces have shut down newspapers published by the country's seven military regions as part of a program to downsize and streamline the world's largest standing military.

The papers, including "War Flag," "Vanguard," ''People's Frontline" and "Comrade in Arms," have been gradually superseded by official news and propaganda television and websites for soldiers whose access to the Internet and smart phones is restricted.


The military's People's Liberation Army Daily said all the publications ceased publishing last week. The oldest, "Soldiers News," dated from 1930.

China is cutting 300,000 personnel from the 2.3 million-member military, reorganizing its command structure and jettisoning non-essential functions such as arts troupes.

The reforms also aim to strengthen Communist Party control over the military, as China becomes more assertive in pressing its maritime claims.



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