On September 8th, Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the People’s Liberation Army’s 78th Group Army stationed in Heilongjiang, the northernmost province in Northeast China that shares a border with Russia. He met with representatives of the officers and soldiers. Other national leaders, including Zhang Youxia, were in attendance.
During the inspection, Xi acknowledged the recent extreme rainfall and severe flood-related geological disasters faced by regions in Mainland China, particularly in North China and the Northeast. He commended the People’s Liberation Army and the armed police force, including the 78th Group Army, for their rapid response in ensuring the safety of the people’s lives and property.
Praising the 78th Group Army for its advancements since its restructuring, Xi emphasized the necessity to innovate in military readiness and combat capabilities. He underscored the importance of improving the quality of military preparations, integrating combat forces, units, and elements, and incorporating them into the joint combat system. Furthermore, he pointed out the need to address the development bottlenecks within the military to continue its growth and effectiveness.
Xi also stressed the significance of enhancing party-building within the army. He called for solidifying the foundational levels, strictly managing military education, ensuring high levels of unity and stability within the troops, and actively seeking solutions to challenges hindering military development.