Xi stresses political guidance, innovation in military modernization

China

Xi stresses political guidance, innovation in military modernization

2026-07-31 19:47 Last Updated At：21:47

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged efforts to strengthen political guidance and deepen innovation-driven development to advance the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

Xi, also chairman of Central Military Commission and Chinese president, made the remarks when presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Thursday. Xi urged efforts to fulfill the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027 and make "decisive progress" in basically realizing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

This, he said, will provide strong strategic support for advancing the cause of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

The study session was held ahead of the PLA's founding anniversary on Aug 1. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, Xi extended festival greetings to all members of the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel of the PLA, and members of the reserve forces and the militia.

Sun Zheng, from the strategic planning office of the Central Military Commission, delivered a lecture on promoting the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces, and put forward suggestions.

Members of the Political Bureau listened attentively to the lecture and engaged in discussions.

After listening to the lecture and discussions, Xi pointed out that advancing the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces is essential for advancing Chinese modernization.

He noted that the PLA has become a much more modern and capable fighting force since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, making historic achievements and undergoing historic transformations in the cause of building a strong military.

It is imperative to uphold and strengthen the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and fully implement the policy of enhancing political loyalty in the military in the new era, he said.

Xi also urged efforts to continue the fight against corruption, improve the supervision system for major projects, and ensure that all initiatives are underpinned by quality, capability and integrity.

Combat capabilities remain the ultimate objective and testing criterion for promoting the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces, Xi said. He called for enhancing military application of unmanned intelligent technologies and advancing the development and application of the network information system to gradually establish an intelligent military system.

It is vital to strengthen the systematic integration of combat capabilities, conduct rigorous combat-oriented test and evaluation, and bolster military training and combat readiness, thereby effectively safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, he said.

Emphasizing the need to consolidate and enhance the integrated national strategic system and strategic capabilities, Xi called for measures to strengthen military governance, optimize institutional mechanisms, and improve policies and institutions.

Relevant departments of the central government and state organs, as well as local Party committees and governments, should vigorously support and create a favorable atmosphere throughout the society for the development of national defense and armed forces, he added.

Event held in Chicago to promote 5th China's supply chain expo

The U.S.-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the promotion meeting for the 5th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) was held in Chicago on Thursday, with the participation of over 180 representatives from political and business circles of the two countries.

As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the CISCE has been an internationally shared public good since the first edition was held in 2023. The fifth edition is expected to be held in 2027.

Attendees at the event noted that the industrial and supply chains of China and the U.S. are deeply intertwined, providing a solid foundation and broad scope for cooperation.

They called on the business community to strengthen exchanges to promote healthy and stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

"The Chinese market is huge. Arguably, China is one of the best manufacturers in the whole world. The supply chain connectivity and the growth of the Chinese market is substantial. So the U.S. and China have to find a way to be able to cooperate because of both our economic size, our competitiveness and ability to use comparative advantages to accelerate both of our economies," said Daniel Bellefleur, vice president of foreign direct investment, Illinois Economic Development Corporation.

"I think the more we learn about each other, the more we are going to see our commonality, and I truly believe that we have a lot to gain by collaboration," said Lori Lightfoot, former mayor of Chicago.