Xi attends parade in Inner Mongolia as PLA marks birthday

Soldiers prepare to take part in the military parade at Zhurihe training base in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region Sunday, July 30, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Editor's note: President Xi Jinping inspects troops and delivers a speech during a military parade at Zhurihe training base in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region today.

The following are the latest update:

Xi orders PLA to stay loyal to Party, serve the people 

ZHURIHE, Inner Mongolia, July 30 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Sunday ordered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks after reviewing a grand military parade at the Zhurihe military training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to mark the PLA's 90th founding anniversary.

"Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Party's orders, and march to wherever the Party points to," Xi said.

PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Xi said.

PLA capable of defeating all invading enemies: Xi 

President Xi Jinping said on Sunday the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks after reviewing a grand military parade at the Zhurihe military training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to mark the PLA's 90th founding anniversary.

The PLA also has the confidence and capability to build a stronger military and make new and greater contribution to realizing China's two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, and safeguarding world peace, Xi said.

China needs strong military more than ever: Xi

President Xi Jinping said Sunday China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) into a world-class military force.

Speaking shortly after a grand military parade at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to mark the PLA's 90th anniversary, Xi said enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

"Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," Xi said.

He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPC's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military.

Xi said the PLA has confidence and capability in defeating all invading enemies and protecting China's national sovereignty, security and development interests.