Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the military to strive for innovation in technology and theory-building. He was attending a meeting of national lawmakers from the military on the sidelines of the ongoing annual Two Sessions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as he attends a plenary meeting of the PLA delegation to the NPC during the ongoing annual parliamentary session held in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2016. Xi also delivered an important speech here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Xi, who is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, joined a meeting of the military delegation to the National People’s Congress. He said innovation should be given a key position in China’s military development, urging the armed forces to turn cutting-edge technology into real combat capacity.

Xi said innovation is the core competitiveness of the military and the number one driver to energize development, and that China is in urgent need of innovation-driven development.He also said a preemptive attitude toward military affairs is needed, and strategies must be designed in line with advanced military technology.

Xi said a sound military theory is a key part of combat effectiveness. He ordered that China have a military theory that is up-to-date, pioneering and unique, to support its strong and dynamic armed forces, while urging military academics to link theoretical research with military practice.

Xi stated that military innovation should be included in the national innovation system, and collaboration should be encouraged between the army and the people to create a conducive system and mechanism for scientific and technological innovation in national defense. He also emphasized that the military should improve management, attract personnel and establish unique advantages in key fields.