BEIJING, March 12 (UPI) -- The Chinese military asked its armed forces to heed their new leader Xi Jingping's call to be loyal to the Communist Party.
Speaking this week at a panel meeting of the People's Liberation Army, Xi urged the armed forces to remain "absolutely loyal" to the Communist Party and bring the country's defense capacity and army building to new high, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi became general secretary of the party at its annual congress last November. At that meeting, which marked China's once-in-a-decade leadership transition, Xi also was made chairman of the party's powerful Central Military Commission. This month, Xi also will take over as the country's president, succeeding outgoing Hu Jintao.
All military staff must comprehend and implement the key points conveyed in Xi's speech and thoroughly understand the vital role of national defense and military building in realizing the "Chinese dream," said a statement from the PLA's general political department.
The armed forces were asked to meet the challenges facing China in safeguarding national security and further enhance their sense of responsibility and mission.
The statement also asked armed forces personnel to live frugal lifestyles and reject waste so to make better use of military spending.
