Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken on a new title, Commander in Chief of the country's new Joint Operations Command Centre. Xi, the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, is already the chairman of the Central Military Commission. The new role, analysts said, appears to suggest that Xi wants to send a message saying he is now in complete control. Given that he has taken charge of the new centre, it implies that he aims to take charge of a better, "more technically sophisticated Chinese military", the BBC reported.

According to the New York Times, Xi appeared at the Central Military Commission in camouflage clothing and urged officers to improve their system to one "capable of winning wars". Experts said the move could help coordinate the various forces of the Chinese military, especially given increasing tensions in the South China Sea.