Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the country's military to "strengthen real combat training" and improve its war-winning capability in a recent address, China's official media reported.
President Xi, the chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended a mobilisation ceremony for the armed forces on Wednesday.
He spoke to thousands of People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers at a military base in Baoding in Hebei province, around 150 kilometres from the nation's capital, Beijing.
President Xi is the chairman of the Central Military Commission. Source: Image grab from APTN
In his address, he told about 7000 servicemen and women the purpose of the ceremony was to implement "the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Party and the thought of the Party on building a strong army in the new era."
President Xi also reviewed the assembly of soldiers at the base and observed the training of troops with senior officers.
The President reaffirmed his status as China’s most dominant leader since Chairman Mao during the visit by telling the servicemen and women they should fear “neither hardship nor death”.
He also said the military should “create an elite and powerful force that is always ready for the fight, capable of combat and sure to win in order to fulfill the tasks bestowed by the Party and the people in the new era.”
The official newspaper the People’s Daily said President Xi’s instructions were met with “thunderous applause”.
It’s reported about 4000 troops gathered in other locations across China to hear the address.
- With AP
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