Strong navy to better defend country's interests

President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said there had never been a more pressing need for a strong navy when he attended a naval parade in the waters off Hainan province on Thursday.

The display, involving more than 10,000 navy personnel, and a flotilla of 48 vessels, was held ahead of the planned live-fire military exercise in the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday.

The display and naval drill have been hyped by Western media as China showing-off its force, but such drills are essential for the People's Liberation Army Navy to develop its readiness to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime interests. The parade was a special review of the navy's development.