China held a grand reception Tuesday evening in Beijing to mark the 85th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), with President Hu Jintao and other top leaders in attendance.

All the other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, including Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang, together with over 1,800 Chinese and foreign guests, attended the gathering at the Great Hall of the People.

Addressing the reception, Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said the PLA, founded on August 1, 1927, should "focus on boosting defense and military capabilities, work vigorously to build a more revolutionary, modernized and professional army and enhance its capability to perform diverse military tasks, especially its capability to win local wars in the information technology era."

"We will always give top priority to enhancing political awareness and unswervingly follow the basic principles and system of the Party's leadership," said the defense minister.

Liang said the armed forces will continue to improve their preparedness and promote independent innovation to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development.

The PLA will firmly adhere to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and continue to oppose and deter secessionist activities to safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and achieve complete reunification of the country, Liang said.

"This is a year of special significance in the development of our Party and our country," he said, adding that the armed forces must work "responsibly, diligently and unremittingly" to fulfill the mission entrusted to them by the Party and the people and make preparations to ensure the successful convocation of the 18th CPC National Congress.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2012)