On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Central Military Commission, President Xi Jinping congratulated all commanders and combatants of the armed forces, officers, and soldiers of the armed police, civilian army personnel, and militia reservists.

Xi stressed that the world is currently changing at a rapid pace in a century, in this regard, “the connotation and scale of China’s border, sea, and air defense have undergone deep changes, the influencing factors are more complex.”

The president called for adhering to the system concept, strengthening overall planning, and improving the general capability to defend the country and its borders.

The recently concluded 3rd Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee called for maintaining the Party’s absolute leadership over the People’s Army and thoroughly implementing the strategy of reforming and strengthening the military.

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