Strong PLA to better protect global peace

The revitalization of the armed forces over the past five years has found special mention in General Secretary Xi Jinping's report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Focusing especially on the role of technology and innovation in building a stronger military, which is crucial for establishing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, Xi said "by the year 2020, mechanization" will be "basically achieved" as "information technology application has come a long way, and strategic capabilities have seen a big improvement".

Xi also emphasized the People's Liberation Army must be made comprehensively stronger through technological and independent innovations and forward-looking plans aimed at developing cutting-edge military technology.