Xi Praises Military's History

PLA urged to uphold Party's absolute leadership, maintain combat readiness, innovate, stay true to faith and disciplines

China will never compromise on its sovereignty, security and development interests, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday at a ceremony in Beijing marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

"The Chinese people love peace. We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions," the president told the television audience and those in attendance and at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "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 ... and no one should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit that is harmful to our sovereignty, security or development interests."