An order has reportedly issued by the General Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army to armed forces personnel to prepare for war in 2013, reports the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao.
The order was issued through the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military. Though not directly mentioned, Japan is clearly the adversary due to the territorial dispute between the two countries over the Diaoyutai islands (Diaoyu in China or Senkaku in Japan) in the East China Sea. Official newspapers in China, especially the PLA Daily, rarely use the word "war" in their commentaries.
When Xi Jinping, the new general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited Guangzhou Military Region in December, he encouraged officers to prepare for victory in the they lead and train the soldiers under their command. Xis aid it is important for all officers and enlisted personnel to be mentally ready to go to war.
Read the full story at Want China Times