BEIJING — President Xi Jinping conferred the flag to the new national fire and rescue team, ordering them to be loyal to the Party, disciplined and devoted to the people on Nov 9.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the new team should stand out when the people are in most need, save them from disasters, assist them in crisis and heroically fight for their life and property safety.

At the ceremony held in the Great Hall of the People, Xi extended congratulation to all members of the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

A national fire and rescue team is important for developing a national emergency rescue network based on China’s reality, enhancing the country’s ability for disaster prevention and relief, safeguarding public security and protecting people’s life and property, Xi said.

More than 500 team members in their new uniforms attended the ceremony.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a flag-conferring ceremony held for the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Nov 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Great expectations are placed upon the new national team who serves as a main emergency rescue force to prevent and address major safety risks and deal with various disasters and accidents, Xi said.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gives an address to the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team during a flag-conferring ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Nov 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

In his address, Xi stressed upholding the absolute Party leadership over the team, one of several requirements he urged the team to follow.

He urged the team to stay true to their ideals and convictions, uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership and follow the Party’s orders.

He then ordered the team to be highly disciplined, follow rigorous education and training methods and build a capable team with “iron discipline.”

Xi also urged the team to be brave enough to defy all difficulties and danger, maintain a combat-ready and quick-response status and hone their skills to be professional and precise.

Xi said the national fire and rescue team should always serve the people and be able to charge ahead when the people need it the most.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with senior officers of the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team after a flag-conferring ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Nov 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, read the decision issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to confer the flag to the team.

The ceremony was presided over by Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-premier.

Afterward, team members participating in the ceremony collectively took an oath, saying they will be loyal to the Party, hone their skills, serve the people wholeheartedly and be ready to sacrifice themselves to defend people’s well-being and social stability.

The national fire and rescue team was formed based on the country’s fire services and armed forestry police. The team is in the command of the Ministry of Emergency Management.