BEIJING — Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Oct 24 instructed the armed forces to study, publicize and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and strive to achieve the goal set for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks when attending a meeting of leading military cadres.

Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, both members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and CMC vice-chairmen, as well as Xu Qiliang, attended and addressed the meeting.

In the unusual and extraordinary five years since the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017, the CMC has led the armed forces to achieve major progress and realize major transformations in national defense and military, Xi said.

The CMC has upheld the Party's absolute leadership over the people's armed forces, maintained and expanded the rapid and favorable development in the cause of building a strong military, and brought military modernization and combat capacity to a higher level, he said.

The newly-concluded successful 20th CPC National Congress is of great significance to the country's drive to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts. It is also vital to fulfilling the goal set for the PLA centenary and building the armed forces into world class forces, he said.

It will be the most important political task for the whole Party, the country and the armed forces to study, publicize and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, he said.

Stressing that the armed forces should focus their efforts on realizing their centenary goal, Xi said that this will be the military's central task in the next five years, one that demands full strength and should be accomplished as scheduled.

Noting that the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee named the members of the new CMC, Xi said it is a major political arrangement made by the CPC Central Committee based on the overall cause of the Party, the country and the military.

CMC members must bear in mind the trust placed on them by the Party and the people and the expectations of the officers and soldiers of the armed forces, and dedicate themselves to the work of the CMC, Xi added.

Demanding that this year's work be finished as scheduled, Xi stressed the importance of plans for the next year to ensure a good start to the work in the armed forces.

Before the meeting, Xi met with delegates, specially invited delegates and non-voting participants of the PLA and armed police forces present at the 20th CPC National Congress and had a group photo taken with them.

State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe attended the meeting. Other attendees included Li Shangfu, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua and Zhang Shengmin, who are all CMC members, and Li Zuocheng.