BEIJING, Sept. 3 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday demanded that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) provide strategic support for national rejuvenation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

He urged the PLA to build itself into world-class forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.