China unveiled its new military leadership the day after the 20th Party Congress concluded on October 23. The composition of the new Central Military Commission (CMC), each of whose members is a hand-picked loyalist of Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals Xi Jinping’s firm and absolute grip on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It also reveals the Chinese leadership’s continuing emphasis on technology and enhanced attention to China’s south-western borders with India. The latter is in addition to the focus on Taiwan. The Government Work Report presented by Xi Jinping and approved by the 20th Party Congress mandated the PLA to complete its modernisation and become a world-class fighting force by 2027 – the PLA’s centenary year.