President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as he attends a plenary meeting of the PLA delegation to the NPC during the ongoing annual parliamentary session held in Beijing, March 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Last stop: Meeting with PLA delegates

Key word: theoretical innovation

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted theoretical and technological innovation as the key to upgrade the country's military and national defense when speaking to national lawmakers from the military at the ongoing annual parliamentary session on March 13. 2016.

"Innovation is core to the competitiveness of the armed forces and would accelerate combat capacity. A sound military theory is a key part of combat effectiveness. A strong army must have a sound theory as its guide."

In particular, Xi demanded a "military theory that is up-to-date, pioneering and unique" to support its strong and dynamic armed forces.

About military reform

Xi's remarks came in the wake of a major military overhaul that saw the inauguration of a General Command for the Army, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force in December, and the regrouping of seven military area commands into five PLA theater commands in February.

Earlier this month, China announced its lowest defense budget increase in six years in the wake of rising economic headwinds.