Chinese troops ordered to be combat-ready
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-07 00:17

BEIJING -- A Chinese commander on Thursday called on all military officers and soldiers to strengthen their sense of mission and get further combat-ready.

"Preparations for military struggle shall be continued, which is now the most important, practical and imperative task", said Jing Zhiyuan, commander of the Second Artillery Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Jing, also a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), made this remark while joining other PLA deputies to the top legislature deliberating the government work report, which was delivered Wednesday by Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening meeting of the parliament's annual full session.

He urged armed forces to provide "solid military backup" for the nation's realization of peaceful reunification.

Chang Wanquan, head of the PLA General Armaments Department, said development of high-tech weapons and equipment shall be boosted to get the army combat-ready in a "refined" way.

Chen Bingde, chief of the PLA General Staff, said to deepen reforms in troops is an urgent need for effective fulfillment of their new missions and tasks.

Reforms shall focus on how to improve the capability of winning a regional war featuring information technologies, Chen said.

Wu Shengli, PLA navy commander, and Xu Qiliang, PLA air force commander, both said the training of their troops shall be transformed and strengthened to adapt  them to a war of information technologies.

Liao Xilong, director of the PLA General Logistics Department, ordered military logistics departments to persistently promote preparations for military struggle and devote more efforts to improving the training and living conditions of soldiers and officers.

Li Jinai, director of the PLA General Political Department, asked all military officers and soldiers to carry forward the "excellent traditions" of obeying to the Party's commands, serving the people and combating bravely and with wisdom, so as to make new contributions to the country's economic and social development as well as the building of a harmonious society.

Liang Guanglie, a member of the Central Military Commission, ordered the troops to improve their capability to cope with various security threats and fulfill manifold military tasks, so as to better perform their historical duties in a new phase of the new century.

Jing Zhiyuan, Chang Wanquan, Chen Bingde, Wu Shengli, Xu Qiliang, Liao Xilong and Li Jinai are also members of the Central Military Commission.