On December 31, 2015, on the occasion of conferring flags on the newly created organisations, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined the direction of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in an official speech known as a “precept”, becoming only the second person to do so since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Xuexi Zhongguo, a smartphone app managed by the Central Party School said Xi Jinping delivered a 'precept' speech, or Xun Ci, which literally translates as “admonishing words”, on December 31, 2015.  Zhang Lifan, a party historian, said the phrase “Xun Ci” suggested a sense of sternness and admonishment towards the lower ranks, adding that “It also signals Xi’s discontent and anxiety over the status of the army – the rampant corruption and the Soviet-style command structures.” He said Xi Jinping was 'showing assertiveness in the overhaul to remove any resistance from within the army'.