Chinese President Xi Jinping called for concentrating efforts to implement the strategy of strengthening the military through reform to advance the cause of building a strong military in the new era. 

Xi, the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and head of a CMC leading group for deepening reform on national defense and the armed forces, made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau on reforming military policies and institutions on Tuesday. 

At the session, held ahead of China's Army Day on August 1, Xi extended greetings to all personnel of the People's Liberation Army, armed police, militia and reserve force on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. 

Reform is crucial to the building of a world-class armed forces and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, said Xi. 

Xi urged prioritizing key reform areas including enhancing the military's combat capability and readiness for war, and improving the servicemen and women's sense of gain. He underscored the importance of innovation in advancing reform, saying the emancipation of the mind is needed.

In November 2018, the CMC held a meeting on the reform of military policies and institutions. Addressing the meeting, Xi said a systematic and profound reform  was urgently needed to address deeply-rooted problems in military policies and institutions, fully release the efficacy of national defense and military reforms, open new ground for building strong armed forces, and seize the initiative in military competition and warfare.

Additionally, Xi signed orders to honor a soldier and three military units ahead of Army Day.

The title "Heroic Demining Soldier" was awarded to Du Fuguo, who in an operation last year lost his eyesight and both hands trying to protect his fellow soldiers from a landmine explosion. 

The three military units honored are an air force group, an astronautical ground station, and a scientific research office. 

Xi hung a medal around Du's neck and presented him with a certificate at a CMC ceremony Wednesday. He went on to confer honorary banners to representatives of the three units. 

(With input from Xinhua)