China's Ministry of National Defense recently clarified the report by some media outlets that the People's Liberation Army has launched pilot programs for a joint operational command system and would establish the system in due course, claiming that it is groundless.

Though the speculation wasn't true, the decisions issued by the Third Plenum of 18th CPC Central Committee have set the path for major plans to deepen military reform.

It is now imperative for China's military to carry out reform because of the sense of crisis arising from an ascending China, its resolution to build a powerful nation, present security challenges as well as pressure from military revolutions.

China's current military strategies were devised for mechanized warfare, not the era of information war.

In more than three decades since reform and opening-up began, China has reformed the system several times, but it has yet to meet the requirements of modern warfare. Beijing has focused too much on streamlining military and administrative structures.

In comparison, the US promulgated the doctrines for joint operations in as early as 1991. Now its Pacific Command is composed of army, naval and air forces, plus special forces.

Established military powers in Europe including Russia, the UK, France and Germany, have also all established joint commands.

War is the best way to test if military reform has worked.

The US reform is battle-tested. China will not resort to warfare to prove the achievements of the reform though confronting security threats.

Instead, we should make sure that our reform conforms to the development of science and technology and the trend of international military revolutions.

Furthermore, such reform must help promote China's deterrence.

Friedrich Engels once said military operations are determined by the technological development. Information warfare demands different military elements coordinate and combine with each other in light of internal relationships.

China's military reform is facing obstacles and challenges. Therefore, first we need to establish a joint operational command system with Chinese characteristics in accordance with national and military conditions. This is a spectacular groundbreaking project in dire need of scientific verification.

Our military reform has reached a crucial stage with strategic, structural and other institutional issues. It is no surprise that we will encounter conflicts and contradictions in our thinking and interests during the process of reforms that may even weather throes from time to time.

The military should have the most sensitive response to technological revolutions. We are left with no choice in the information age.

China must realize its great power dream from a long-term perspective and we have to adopt military reform as our driving force.

The author is a professor with the Jinan Military Area Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn