Xi: Troops must strictly follow CPC leadership

BEIJING - Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to ensure that troops strictly follow the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

He made the comments during a tour of the Beijing Military Area Command on Monday.

The Beijing Military Area Command, a military area command based in the capital city, has a special status and role, as well as a special mission, and it faces a special environment, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

"We must make sure that troops obey the command of the Party and are absolutely loyal and reliable," he said.

Xi's visit came just days ahead of the Army Day, which falls on August 1 and marks the 86th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).