CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO GROUP STUDY SESSION TO DISCUSS MILITARY MATTERS ON JULY 31
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The People's Daily (July 31) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping called for modernizing
the country's border, coastal and air defense to make it strong and solid when chairing the
Politburo leadership group's 16th study session on July 31. He also extended Army Day
greetings to all service personnel, as well as the members of the militia and reserve forces, on
behalf of the CCP Central Committee and the CMC. Huang Jizhong from the CMC's Joint Staff
Department elaborated on issues concerning the building of modern border, coastal and air
defense systems and put forward suggestions following which Politburo members had a
discussion. After hearing the briefing and discussion, Xi made an important speech. He said
that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has
spearheaded a raft of major institutional reforms and led a series of key border, air and sea
defense actions. These efforts have vigorously safeguarded China's territorial sovereignty and
maritime rights and interests, as well as upheld the strategic initiative of national security and
development. He noted that China's border, coastal and air defense is, however, faced with new
opportunities and new challenges, and stressed the need to strengthen overall planning to
enhance the border defense capability. He called for intensified efforts to boost infrastructure
connectivity and joint development to forge a border, coastal, and air defense that is conducive
to both national security and economic and social development. Xi Jinping also said greater
emphasis must be placed on integrating science and technology into national defense efforts,
and urged more efforts to enhance friendly and practical cooperation with neighboring
countries to foster a conducive environment for China's defense development. He also
underlined the importance of improving air traffic management, boosting the sound growth of
the low-altitude economy, and optimizing the civil air defense model.
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