Xi's views on the armed forces

Editor's note: President Xi Jinping has led military reforms to make the People's Liberation Army leaner, stronger and more efficient since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in late 2012. Here we see some of his most recent views on military building, given over the past year.

President Xi Jinping meets with foreign leaders invited to multinational naval events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, on April 23, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

1. Safeguarding peace

President Xi called for concerted efforts to safeguard maritime peace and build a maritime community with a shared future. Countries should better discuss and manage their differences, and not resort to force or threats.

---- Meeting with the heads of foreign delegations, April 23, 2019