Xi calls on armed forces to safeguard peace home and abroad

A grand gathering in celebration of the 90th birthday of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping is calling on the Chinese armed forces to safeguard peace, defend national security and uphold the Party's leadership.

Xi Jinping, also the head of the Central Military Commission, has made the suggestion on Tuesday to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). 

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, President Xi Jinping reiterated that China is a peace-loving country. But the Chinese leader has also stressed that peace should never come at the sacrifice of the country's sovereignty and national defense.

"We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions. We will never allow any people, organization or political party to split any part of Chinese territory out of the country at any time, in any form. Nobody should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit of our interests of sovereignty, security and development being damaged," said Xi. 

President Xi Jinping made similar remarks on Sunday as he inspected a massive parade involving some 12,000 soldiers at a military training base in Inner Mongolia. During his hour-long address on Tuesday, Xi Jinping says China's armed forces will continue to contribute to peace and development across the world.

"The PLA will, as always, carry out international military exchanges and cooperation in concerted efforts to face up to the challenges to global security. The PLA will actively perform its responsibilities in consistent with China's international status. It will positively contribute to the building of a community of shared future for mankind," added Xi. 

China is currently the second largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions, having deployed some 31,000 military personnel to 24 missions across the world as of June 2017. The PLA Navy has ensured the safe passage of more than 6,000 commercial vessels through the pirate-ridden Gulf of Aden since it began to participate in maritime escort programs in the region in 2008. 

As part of Tuesday's address, President Xi Jinping also stressed that the PLA needs to maintain its loyalty to the Communist Party of China. 

"The people's armed forces must firmly uphold the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and our country's socialist system. The PLA must firmly protect our country's sovereignty, security, development interests, and resolutely protect the peace of the region and the world," said Xi. 

The Chinese Communist Party consolidated its leadership over the Red Army, which was the origin of today's PLA, following a landmark conference held in Gutian, Fujian Province in 1929. Two years earlier, on August 1st, 1927, the Red Army took part in its first major battle.

President Xi Jinping has called for revitalization of the spirit of the Gutian Conference as part of his speech on Tuesday. In addressing the future of the PLA, President Xi says the People's Liberation Army must be bold in reform and adept in innovation while staying away from rigidity and stagnation. He noted efforts made in improving real combat capability and promoting innovation, efficiency and civil-military integration. He has reminded the armed forces to keep in mind the fundamental principle of serving the people.