As Reuters reports, bitterness is growing within China's armed forces to President Xi Jinping's decision to cut troop numbers by 300,000, and, according to a source and commentaries in the military's newspaper, considerable effort will be needed to overcome opposition to the order with PLA official sources warning "people are worried, it's been too sudden."

Xi made the unexpected announcement on Sept. 3 at a military parade in Beijing marking 70 years since the end of World War Two in Asia. The move would reduce by 13 percent one of the world's biggest militaries, currently 2.3-million strong.

China's Defence Ministry said the "broad mass" of officers and soldiers "resolutely endorsed the important decision of the (Communist) Party center and Central Military Commission and obey orders". But as Reuters reports,

Bitterness is growing within China's armed forces to President Xi Jinping's decision to cut troop numbers by 300,000 and considerable effort will be needed to overcome opposition to the order, according to a source and commentaries in the military's newspaper.