Joint commands of three services, joint search-and-rescue operation by the Army and the Air Force, and joint disaster relief operations by multiple services and arms…in this ongoing earthquake rescue and relief battle, the PLA has taken a large-scale joint action in rescue and relief operations.

　　On the 100,000 square kilometers of quake-hit areas, large number of troops have converged, which include the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Secondary Artillery Force, the Armed Police Force, and militia and reserve so far as services are concerned, covering all six major pillars of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, and include airborne units, transport aviation units, army aviation units, marine corps, reconnaissance units, communication units, antichemical units, and firefighting units as far as arms are concerned.

　　In addition, some specialized units such as hydrometeorology units, navigation units, surveying and mapping units, space telemetry units, and aerial remote sensing units have also participated in the relief rescue operations. Plus civil aviation transport, railway transport called into requisition by the PLA in the relief operations as well as rescue and medical teams from areas outside the borders and other countries. This line-up of rescue and relief operation strength has presented a splendid sight.

　　Joint action of three services, joint actions between the PLA and Armed Police Force, joint actions between the military and the people, joint actions with foreign rescue and medical teams … all these signs indicate that in order to cope with multiple threats and accomplish multiple military tasks now and in the future, the principal operation pattern of military strength will be the joint operation or joint action. Especially when it is to deal with contingencies or major events, it must firmly establish the concept of coping with contingencies or major events by joint action, effectively give play to advantages and potentials of different types of strengths and integrate strength and resources of all quarters under the coordination of powerful joint command system.

　　By Yun Ling

　　(May 26, PLA Daily)                                        Editor: Dong Zhaohui