(REOPENS FES 99)

In his Chinese New Year greetings to armed forces today, he stressed on national defence efforts, urging the military to enhance its combat preparedness and constantly improve its ability to fulfill missions and tasks. He also stressed on frugality and ordered the troops to refrain from extravagance. Soldiers and officers in far-flung areas should be given more material and financial resources, Xi said, adding that unity between the army and the local government, as well as ethnic unity, should be strengthened.