Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday called on the armed forces to strengthen political construction to provide mighty support for safeguarding China's sovereignty, national security and development interests.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police shall also promote modernization and make more contributions to the nation's social and economic development and stability.

Hu, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a plenary meeting of PLA deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2010)