Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the military to enhance war preparedness and solidify combat capabilities, following large-scale drills around Taiwan.
State media reported on Saturday, just days after Beijing staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan.
According to state-run broadcaster CCTV, Xi made his comments when he visited the brigade of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.
He said the military should “comprehensively strengthen training and preparation for war, (and) ensure troops have solid combat capabilities”, CCTV reported.
Soldiers must “enhance their strategic deterrent and combat capability,” Xi said.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped up its shows of force around the self-ruled island in recent years.
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On Monday, Beijing deployed fighter jets, drones, warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan.
That was its fourth round of large-scale war games around the democratic island in just over two years.
China’s communist leaders have insisted they will not rule out using force to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control.
According to the CCTV report, Xi said the Chinese military must “strongly safeguard the country’s strategic security and core interests”.
The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to a civil war in which Mao Zedong’s communist fighters defeated the nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek and fled to the island in 1949.
China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since then. (IndiaTimes.com)
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