Ahead of China's Army Day, which falls on August 1 to commemorate the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), President Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in southwest China's Sichuan Province, where he inspected the air force of the PLA Western Theater Command. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), stressed during the inspection to strengthen training and combat readiness, improve the military's capacity to respond to intricate situations and speed up efforts to boost the modernization of the armed forces.

Two days before the inspection, Xi had highlighted the need to promote the development of Chinese military governance, while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. 

Xi has placed great importance on Chinese armed forces building. He believes that accelerating modernization of the Chinese military and improving military governance and combat capability will not only protect China's national sovereignty, security and development interests, but will also safeguard world peace and stability.

China aims to build a strong army

To build a strong army, Xi said it's a must to uphold the absolute CPC leadership over the armed forces and continue to strictly govern the Party and the army by promoting integrity and discipline, and fighting against corruption. 

As one of the measures, the CMC issued restriction and supervision regulations for 12 key military sectors including military logistics and equipment, in June last year. The regulations outlined strict measures for separation of powers, supervision and review, information transparency and accountability and providing a strong institutional guarantee for promoting law-based military governance in the 12 military sectors.

Also, according to discipline inspection and supervision organs of the military, they carry out regular investigations on military officials, including their housing, vehicle-use, remuneration, and medicare services to correct misconduct at any time and further create an atmosphere of comprehensive and strict military governance. 

The year 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Xi said that the PLA is at a crucial juncture in its drive to achieve its centenary goal as the world is experiencing rapid advances in global sci-tech revolutions and profound changes in military affairs.

The CPC first unveiled the 2027 PLA centenary goal in October 2020 during the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee. The 2027 goal joins a string of existing military modernization goals, namely that China will "basically complete national defense and military modernization by 2035" and possess a "world-class military by mid-century."

To achieve the centenary goal, Xi has been urging the armed forces to recognize the significance of strengthening all-around military governance, equip themselves with technologies, and carry forward the spirit of reform and innovation. 

When inspecting the joint operations command center of the CMC in November last year, Xi emphasized that China's national security is facing increased instability and uncertainty. The Chinese military must focus on improving military training and combat preparedness, forging a military that is capable of fighting and winning wars, and resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Chinese army is a staunch force for world peace

"China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and the Chinese armed forces have always been a staunch force in safeguarding world peace," said Xi.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country has never initiated a war. It is the only country in the world that pledges to "keep to a path of peaceful development" in its Constitution. China is also the only one among the five Nuclear-Weapon States that is committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons. 

While making world-renowned economic achievements, China has fulfilled its global responsibilities as a major country. It has actively participated in the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation process, and has actively engaged in UN peacekeeping operations, including counter-terrorism activities, COVID-19 control, demining in conflict zones, building settlements, medical assistance and humanitarian assistance. 

China is the top contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the second largest funding contributor to both the UN and its peacekeeping operations.

In August last year, the UN peace mission in Mali awarded the 9th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to the country with the sector commander's commendation, to recognize its outstanding performance in maintaining peace in Mali. The sector commander's commendation is the highest honor awarded by the UN to the contingents or individuals of the UN peacekeeping forces from different countries.

"The Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent is a highly skilled and dedicated group that has successfully completed the peacekeeping mission with a strong sense of responsibility," said Brigadier General Stephan J Andersson, commander of the United Nations Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Sector East when conferring the award.

"The Chinese people love peace, long for peace, and are firmly committed to the path of peaceful development," Xi said. 

He has proposed the Global Security Initiative, calling on the whole international community to address complex global security challenges with the spirit of solidarity and a win-win mindset, so as to promote durable peace and development in the world.