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Stepping up efforts to modernize China's national defense and
armed forces, Premier said it is an important guarantee for
safeguarding national security and building a moderately prosperous
society in all respects.
"We will energetically carry forward military reforms with
Chinese characteristics and work hard to modernize national defense
and armed forces to a higher stage of development," according to
the government work report made available to press prior to Wen's
adress to the national legislature's annual session.
As part of the strategy of using science and technology to build
strong armed forces, China will focus on developing new and high
technology weaponry and equipment, foster a new type of highly
competent military personnel, and promote modernization of the
armed forces with IT application as the main content and
mechanization as the basis in order to enhance its overall defense
capability under hi-tech conditions, according to the copy.
"We will adhere to the principle of running the army in
accordance with the law and increase its standardization" and
"continue to balance efforts to strengthen national defense and
economic development and raise the overall effectiveness of efforts
to strengthen defense."
China will work painstakingly to adjust and realign its military
strength to ensure that the armed forces are reduced by 200,000
troops and that related tasks are completed by 2005.
Meanwhile, the country will make the People's Armed Police more
proficient and more capable of responding to emergencies, the
report notes.
During the 10-day session, deputies will also deliberate and
vote the draft amendments to the country's Constitution.
(China Daily March 5, 2004)
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