中国国家主席、中共中央军委主席习近平4月19日向解放军新成立的信息支援部队授予军旗。这标志着信息支援部队，这个直属于中共中央军委的新兵种正式成立，原本的战略支援部队则撤销。习近平说，信息支援部队在推动解放军打赢现代战中地位重要，责任重大。

什么是信息支援部队？它将担负什么功能？中国解放军为何要推进这项军事体制改革？这与军队反腐败有没有关系？ 

中国解放军的装备近年有了长足的发展，在4月23日举办的海军建军七十五周年庆典又会有什么看点？

这期的早报播客《东谈西论》，听主持人韩咏红和《联合早报》中国新闻资深高级记者于泽远分析中国军队的新改革。

延伸阅读：

• 于泽远：中国军队的新改革
• 菲律宾缺席中国海军论坛 张又侠：愿同当事国解决争端但不允许善意被滥用

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently presided over a significant military ceremony, where he awarded the military flag to the newly established Information Support Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This move marks the formal inception of a new branch within the PLA, indicative of a reconfiguration in China's military structure.

The Information Support Force, operating directly under the purview of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, replaces the former Strategic Support Force. President Xi underscored the pivotal role of this new force in modern warfare during the ceremony, highlighting its responsibility and importance in ensuring the PLA's success.

The creation of the Information Support Force reflects China's ongoing efforts in military reforms and modernisation. Furthermore, the notable strides in the development and enhancement of equipment within the PLA in recent years embody China's progress in military technology and capabilities.

The PLA Navy is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, providing a platform to showcase its achievements and advancements. The occasion is poised to spotlight China's growing naval capabilities and its significance in the country's defence strategy.

In this episode of Global Heartbeat podcast, host Han Yong Hong and Lianhe Zaobao’s China News Copy Editor Yu Zeyuan analyse the latest reforms in the Chinese military.

Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

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