People’s Liberation Army has capability to defeat invading enemies, says Chinese President Xi Jinping

“People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping  after inspecting a military parade to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the PLA at the country’s largest military base, Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia.

The Chinese president, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA — the world's largest army, stated that the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and "march to wherever the Party points to."

Xi in his speech gave no reference  to the month-long-China military standoff at Doklam in Sikkim section in his address to the chinese soldiers.

The PLA displayed some of its most modern weapons in the parade. Around 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment including newly built tanks which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border, J-15 — the new aircraft based carrier long range nuclear and conventional missiles were also on display.

Also Read: Chinese jets intercept US Navy plane over East China Sea

Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also displayed in the parade. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions.

The 64-year-old Xi clad in a camouflage military suit said that the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty and security.

In a 10-minute long address to the PLA soldiers the Chinese president said, “Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace."

Also Read: India and China should work together for peace, says US

Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the armed forces. He added China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force.

He asked the PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people.

The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement and has the world’s second largest defence budget of USD 152 billion next to the US military.