BEIJING (Sputnik) – China should create a modern disciplined army able to win, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday at a grand gathering in Beijing marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
"Creating an army that corresponds to the international status of our country is a strategic goal. We should put together economic and defense development, modernize the army to make it modern and standardized… We should comprehensively promote the military reform to create an army that will be disciplined and able to win," Xi stated.
Xi announced last September that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would cut its ranks by 300,000 to total 2 million troops by 2017, still maintaining its lead as the world’s largest army.
The country’s defense budget ranks second in volume to that of the United States. China’s military expenditures neared $130 billion last year, a 12.2 percent year-on-year increase from 2013.
China Not to Tolerate Violations of Country's Sovereignty, Security
China respects interests of other countries, but will defend its rights and will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty and security interests, Xi Jinping said.
"China does not infringe on the rights of others countries, is not envious of their development, but at the same time we would not renounce our legitimate rights. The Chinese nation is not afraid of both evil and troubles. Any state should not hope that we will trade with our vital interests, should not hope that we would tolerate violations of our sovereignty, security and interests of the development."
Beijing opposes interference with internal policy of other countries, the Chinese president added.
The CPC, China's ruling party, was created on July 1, 1921 in the city of Shanghai. It is one of the world's largest political organization with some 90 million people in its ranks.
