BEIJING -- Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao has urged the military to improve scientific and technological research to fulfil their mission in the new era.

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Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks on Friday when he met with delegates from the Academy of Military Sciences.

After briefings, Hu acknowledged the academy's contribution to military modernization and asked it to vigorously promote the development of military theory and national security strategies.

Hu said building national defense capability was an onerous task in a complicated and changing international situation.

Hu said the Chinese military must pay close attention to the world's security situation and military development trend and develop a road of scientific innovation with its own characteristics.