Improving PLA at primary level urged

President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of giving play to the fine traditions of the People's Liberation Army and stepping up reforms and innovations to boost the development of the armed forces at a primary level.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, spoke in Beijing at a conference on the development of the PLA that began on Friday and concluded on Sunday.

Primary-level combat forces in the new era are the foundation and source of power for the military, he said, adding that bolstering its development is essential.