President Xi Jinping’s comments came amid a face-off between the Indian and Chinese military at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
New Delhi| On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered Chinese forces to strengthen the training of troops and to be ready for war amid COVID-19 pandemic’s visible impact on the planet’s most populous country’s national security.
It was necessary to “comprehensively strengthen the training of troops and prepare for war”, “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty” and “safeguard the overall strategic stability of the country”, state media reported the Chinese supreme leader as saying.
This comes amid growing tension with the United States, repeated references by local politicians and diplomats of reunifying Taiwan if required by force, and the likely imposing of a new and controversial security law meant to crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the special administrative region of Hong Kong.
Xi is also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the two-million-strong military with anticipations of lifelong tenure in power.
He made the remarks while attending a plenary conference of the delegation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People’s Armed Police Force during the current parliament session in Beijing.
Also Read: Indian, Chinese Armies Headed Towards Biggest Face-off Since Doklam: Report
Xi directed the army to think about worst-case situations, ramp up training and battle preparation.
Earlier, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said, the US is pushing relations with China to “the brink of a new Cold War”. He also denied the United States’ “lies” over the COVID-19.
The tension between India And China is also intensifying with troops from both countries clashing in different areas along the 3,488 kilometre-long disputed border especially, in Ladakh, since May 5.
On May 22, China, the second-largest military spender after the US, hiked its defence budget by 6.6% to $179 billion, almost three times that of India.
(Inputs from Agencies)
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