Xi calls for strong military to defeat enemies (Lead)

Beijing July 30 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said China needs a strong military more than ever to "defeat all invading enemies" and "safeguard world peace".

On the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Army which falls on August 1 the President said Beijing will build a world-class armed forces with confidence and capability. "The world is not all at peace and peace must be safeguarded " Xi said. "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." He urged the army to implement the Communist Party of China s thoughts on building a strong military follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics and build the army into a world-class military. "Our heroic armed forces have the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies and safeguard national sovereignty security and development interests " the President said. This was the first time that China has commemorated Army Day with a military parade since the founding of the communist China in 1949. "Over the past 90 years the People s Liberation Army has held high the banner of the party and shouldered the hopes of the nation " Xi said. Xi ordered the army to uphold combat effectiveness as the "sole and fundamental" standard for the military. --IANS py/vt