Strive to build fortified national defense: PLA delegates

All the delegates of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to the ongoing 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) agreed that it is imperative to insist on guiding and promoting development in all aspects of the whole army in accordance with the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress, so as to build a fortified national defense and strong armed forces compatible with China's international status and conformable to China's national security and development interests. The report delivered by Comrade Hu Jintao on Nov. 8 at the opening session of the 18th CPC National Congress is a programmatic document to guide the national defense and army building, said the PLA delegates.

The delegates expressed that the report, with a view to meeting the new requirements of national development strategy and security strategy, gives a new and profound exposition on such major issues as the goal, theme, model, driving force and guarantee of the PLA development.

In particular, the report stresses that "It is a strategic task in China's modernization drive to build a fortified national defense and strong armed forces compatible with China's international status and conformable to China's national security and development interests." This important exposition has further clarified the major strategic issue that what kind of armed forces China will build under the new historical conditions, the PLA delegates said.