Xi urges constant work to make PLA first-rate

President tours new exhibition, praises military's achievements

Ahead of the upcoming 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, President Xi Jinping has called for unremitting efforts to make the PLA a world-class army.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while visiting an exhibition opened in Beijing on Friday.

The exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution features more than 1,000 photos as well as relics and multimedia presentations to show the landmark combat, events and achievements of the PLA.

Also on display are models of the major military equipment in active service as well as China's first atomic bomb and H-bomb, which were detonated in 1964 and 1967, respectively.

While touring the exhibition on Friday, Xi noted that the military has scored many victories in the past 90 years and has made outstanding contributions to national independence, people's liberation, the country's prosperity and public well-being.

The 90 years is a concentration of the PLA's strong ideals and beliefs, great tradition and bravery in combat, and it is a great spiritual treasure, Xi said.

The country should remember the history, hand down the revolutionary gene and constantly bring forward the great course explored by the older generation of revolutionaries at a new starting point, Xi said.

Officials, the public and all the servicemen and women should be encouraged to hold tight their faith in the Chinese socialist path, the theories, the system and the culture, and strive for realizing the dream of rejuvenating the great Chinese nation, he said.

Other Party and State leaders, including Premier Li Keqiang, also toured the exhibition on Friday.

They stopped from time to time and were intrigued by the delicate design and presentation of the historical moments and achievements.

Key moments of the PLA that are presented include the start of the garrisoning of Hong Kong and Macao in 1997 and 1999, respectively, as well as the sailing of the aircraft carrier Liaoning to the South China Sea for training.

Touching moments of the PLA that are shown include soldiers on the forefront of disaster relief after the deadly Wenchuan earthquake in southwestern China's Sichuan province in 2008.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at the opening ceremony on Friday morning that the exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the history of the PLA, whose 90th anniversary falls on August 1.

It also presents the PLA's glorious achievements after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, particularly in the wake of the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Liu said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn