1st LD-Writethru: Xi demands strong army, solid troops

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged building a solid national defense and strong armed forces that are commensurate with the country's international status, national security and development interests.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a gathering on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

He noted that the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces is the fundamental guarantee for the army's victory.

"To build a strong country requires efforts to build a strong army, and only with a strong army can the country's security be guaranteed," Xi said.

He called for efforts to foster a new generation of Chinese servicemen who are "soldiers with soul, high caliber, gut and virtue," and to build rock-solid troops with "iron-like belief, conviction, discipline and commitment."

"The Long March is the glory of the people's army, and the honorable people's army must always carry forward the great spirit and fine tradition of the Red Army in the Long March," Xi said.

He called on the armed forces to adhere to the CPC's absolute leadership, maintain their nature and uphold their principles as the people's army, and be the heir to the Red Army.

Moreover, he urged the military to uphold political integrity, promote reform and rule of law, and strengthen combat readiness.

The entire military should remain vigilant and be aware of its responsibilities, Xi said, noting that the modernization of national defense and armed forces must advance in a bid to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests. Endi