Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with senior officers while visiting the 16th army group, on July 18, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Li Gang)
President Xi Jinping called for strict management and training of the Chinese army to adapt to new situations and tasks and achieve the goal of a stronger army.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks when visiting the 16th army group on Saturday.
Xi stressed the army should keep up military training and combat preparedness.
He said the officers and soldiers must be toughened in real combat conditions to fear neither hardship nor death.
He said only strictness in management can improve combat capability, and he stressed it should be based on rules and regulations. The rights and interests of lower officers and soldiers should be safeguarded.
He urged leading cadres to set examples for the soldiers through discipline and fighting corruption.
The president said theoretical education must be offered to help officers and soldiers strengthen their ideals and faith.
Education is also needed to ensure military personnel recognize the Party's absolute leadership over the army and help them follow the orders of the CPC Central Committee and CMC at all times and situations, he said.
Xi also asked Party members and cadres to be strict in political discipline and rules.
The influence of Xu Caihou's activities, which violated Party rules and broke the law, has profoundly damaged army-building efforts, Xi said.
He said the negative impact of Xu's case must be eradicated while the proud tradition and sound work style of the Red Army should be upheld and maintained to enhance the purity and solidarity of the army.
He hailed the army group's overall progress since a key meeting of the CPC in November 2012 and encouraged them to work harder and achieve more.
The visit came just days ahead of Army Day, which is observed on Aug. 1 and marks the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, Xi extended regards and festive greetings to military personnel during the visit.
