Chinese President Xi Jinping, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, has called for more efforts to boost China's defense and armed forces. He made the remarks at a group study session of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Xi called for hard work and determination in realizing the centenary goals of the People's Liberation Army. He stressed the importance of innovation-driven military development and urged management reforms to improve the military's systems. Xi's remarks come ahead of China's Army Day, which falls on August 1.