Chinese President Xi Jinping urges China’s military to increase its use of unmanned and artificial intelligence technologies, as part of efforts to build a more advanced “intelligent” fighting force. According to state media cited by multiple outlets, Xi makes the call during a Politburo group study session. He tells the session that the People’s Liberation Army should strengthen its military applications of “unmanned intelligent technologies,” deepen the development and use of network information systems, and work toward gradually establishing an intelligent military system. One report characterizes Xi’s remarks as a push for broader defense applications of autonomous and AI technologies. The other reports Xi specifically emphasizes enhancing the PLA’s use of AI and expanding network information capabilities, framing the statements as part of a wider modernization drive. The outlets agree that Xi’s message is directed at the PLA and focuses on integrating AI, unmanned systems, and networked information technologies into military planning and development.