Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said China needs a strong military more than ever to "defeat all invading enemies" and "safeguard world peace".
On the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Army, which falls on August 1, the President said Beijing will build a world-class armed forces with confidence and capability.
"The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," Xi said. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history."
He urged the army to implement the Communist Party of China's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, and build the army into a world-class military.
"Our heroic armed forces have the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests," the President said.
This was the first time that China has commemorated Army Day with a military parade since the founding of the communist China in 1949.
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"Over the past 90 years, the People's Liberation Army has held high the banner of the party and shouldered the hopes of the nation," Xi said.
Xi ordered the army to uphold combat effectiveness as the "sole and fundamental" standard for the military.
--IANS
py/vt