President Hu Jintao has called for a "new chapter" of development for the People's Liberation Army air force, as the country marks the 60th anniversary of its founding.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L front) meets with heroes of the Chinese Air Force on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of China Air Force in Beijing, China, Nov. 8, 2009. [Li Gang/Xinhua]

President Hu Jintao met with representatives of senior officers, role models and pilots of the PLA air force on Sunday. He said, over the past six decades, the PLA air force has made tremendous progress in its own development, by protecting China's sovereignty, national defense, territorial integrity, and contributing greatly to the socialist modernization of the country.

The President stressed that China's national defense and the modernization of its armed forces are facing new situations and tasks. He added that the air force has also entered a key phase of development. Hu Jintao urged them to develop systematic capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations.