The PLA Daily urged military commanders to broaden
their horizons and take a greater interest in international
affairs, computer and Internet technology and foreign languages
while not losing sight of their military responsibilities,
according to Chinanews.com on February 21.
Global view
According to the newspaper many Chinese military commanders are
too 'inward looking' and focusing completely on their duties. They
have little time or opportunity to achieve access to the latest
world news.
It would be beneficial if they were in a position to have easy
access to up-to-the-minute information on subjects like
international relations, politics, military topics and diplomatic
updates. Efforts are required to be made to keep abreast of the
ever changing world scene.
New computer and Internet technology
The newspaper suggested that although computers have affected
almost every aspect of the modern world, many high-ranking military
commanders are unable to extract information from the Internet.
The use of information in a range of formats is the weapon of
the 21st century; thus military commanders have to improve their
computer skills.
Communication in foreign languages
The ever increasing frequency of international communications
between the Chinese military and other countries has clearly
displayed the increasing need for personnel to be skilled in
foreign languages as the communication tool.
The newspaper pointed out that the ratio of military officers
who know foreign languages is low. In order to better understand
and communicate with their foreign counterparts, it is necessary
for Chinese military commanders to know one or two foreign
languages.
(China.org.cn by Wang Ke, February 25, 2006)