China: Xi stresses modernization of national defense, armed forces

  Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed advancing the modernization of the national defense and armed forces.

Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on strengthening the modernization of the national defense and armed forces, which was held on Thursday.

To uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieve national rejuvenation, Xi underscored ensuring both development and security, and ensuring that efforts to make the country prosperous and efforts to make the military strong go hand in hand.

The modernization of the national defense and armed forces must be in step with the country's modernization process, and the military capabilities must fit national strategic needs, Xi said.

Xi underscored implementing the military strategic guideline for the new era, formulating the 14th five-year (2021-2025) plan for building the military, drawing a scientific road map, and cultivating a new type of high-caliber and professional military talent.

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Xi stresses modernization of national defense, armed forces - Global Times

Far East: Japan's Cabinet Approves Bills Allowing Greater Military Powers - by Aditya Tejas

Japan’s cabinet approved a set of major military reforms on Thursday, which would significantly bolster the country’s defense capabilities. The new set of bills is designed to allow Japanese armed forces to operate with fewer restrictions.

Under its current constitution, which includes terms imposed by the U.S. at the end of World War II, Japan is prohibited from maintaining a standing military and can only keep a self-defense force to use in the event of a direct attack. The latest move would allow Japan to act in its "collective defense" if it were put in an "apparent danger" by an attack on its closest ally, the United States. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, however, said that Japan would "never become entangled in a war being fought by the United States," the Washington Post reported.

The decision was taken by the cabinet last year, but Thursday’s legislation formally introduced it.

The new laws would also enable Japanese troops to be deployed overseas in a supporting role alongside other nations, although the government would require the approval of Japan’s parliament, the Diet, every time it wished to send troops abroad.

Read more: Japan's Cabinet Approves Bills Allowing Greater Military Powers

Netherlands: Dutch troops told don't wear uniform on bus, train

The Dutch Defense Ministry is advising military personnel not to wear their uniforms on public transport, as fears mount that the country could be targeted by radical Muslims.

Spokeswoman Marloes Visser said Thursday the decision was taken Wednesday evening — around the time that the government announced it will send six F-16 fighter jets to launch air strikes on the Islamic State terror group.

Announcing the deployment, Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher acknowledged that the Dutch role in the fight against Islamic State brings risks.

Asscher said: "The Netherlands will gain a higher profile among jihadis. We are ready."

The terror threat level in the Netherlands is currently "substantial," the second highest of four levels used by the country's anti-terror coordinator.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/09/25/3393293/dutch-troops-told-dont-wear-uniform.html?sp=/99/1640/#storylink=cpy

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