Xi tells military to always be combat ready

Preparedness vital in era of drastic changes, unpredictable risks, president says

President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Friday ordered the armed forces to continue strengthening their combat preparedness and to make sure they are always ready for battle.

Addressing a Central Military Commission meeting in Beijing, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the world is in an era of drastic changes and China is still in a strategically significant period vital to the country's development. He noted that various predicable and unpredictable risks and challenges have been arising.