President Xi Jinping addresses ceremony marking PLA's 90th anniversary

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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Xi reviewed the history of the PLA, which was founded in the Nanchang Uprising against the Kuomintang administration on August 1, 1927.

He praised its importance in safeguarding the country, coping with different threats and protecting China's sovereignty and international interests.

During the meeting, Xi paid tribute to past leaders and militarists including Chairman Mao Zedong who helped build and cultivate the Chinese Army.

Xi said the PLA is rapidly moving towards a strong, informationized armed forces, adding the PLA must be bold in reform and innovation and move away from rigidity and stagnation.

To build a strong arm with Chinese characteristic, Xi called for a new generation of "capable, brave and virtuous army, which is with all heart and soul" to serve the people and defense the country, under the absolute leadership of the Party.

He also noted that the military development was not for any form of aggression or expansion, but to build confidence that "We will never allow any people, organization or political party to split any part of Chinese territory out of the country at any time, in any form."

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