By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - Chinese President Xi Jinping's aggressive remarks lately are garnering much international attention. These remarks are sparking fears that China could now make straight moves to achieve military-power status.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently conferred military flags on top officers of the five theater commands at a ceremony in Beijing. It seems Xi will continue to make aggressive remarks. / Source from Xinhua News Agency

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Considering recent state media reports including People's Daily, such assertion is not an exaggeration considering his recent remarks. Xi's most impressive remark was made at the fourth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC). At the meeting with representatives of National People's Congress People's Liberation Army, he clearly showed his aggressive stance, stating, "We don't need to provoke first, but we should beat the opponent first if it's inevitable."

His remark at an inauguration ceremony held to mark the founding of the five theater commands of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Feb. 1 was also impressive. He clearly offered a way for forward for PLA for the future, stating, "By establishing a powerful army culture, we should nurture revolutionary soldiers." During the military reform working conference held at the end of December last year, he said, "We should not be afraid of difficulties. We should be ready to even die."

Of course, there are reasons behind such aggressive remarks. Most of all, the current international situation surrounding China is not irrelevant, considering the territorial disputes between China and Southeast Asian countries and North Korea's nuclear issue. Secondly, the fact that he maintained a military-related title when he worked down in the provinces could be one of the reasons. Moreover, the fact that Xi Jinping set a national goal of military buildup and powerful military nurturing is also related with Xi's recent aggressive remarks. We don't even have to mention about the conflict with the United States.

China has been trying to avoid mentioning its own military force so far. However, it seems that its rule is broken now due to Xi's active remarks. It seems such mood will continue for a while.