Xi calls for modernizing China's border, sea, air defense

BEIJING -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held its 16th group study session on July 30. The topic was promoting the building of modern border, sea and air defense.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session, and delivered an important speech.

He stressed that advancing the building of modern border, sea and air defense is an inherent requirement of national defense and modernization of the military. It is the rightful approach to ensuring high-quality development with high-level security. It is of great significance to comprehensively promote the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

To do the work well in this regard, it is imperative to steadfastly uphold the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focus on the overall national security and military strategy, and coordinate both domestic and international imperatives.

It is also important for those in relevant sectors to grasp the new circumstances, characteristics and requirements of the work to develop border, sea and air defense, strengthen their sense of responsibility, foster innovative ideas and measures, do solid work in implementing policies and plans, and strive towards building strong, secure and modern border, sea and air defense.

This group study session was held prior to the Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC), Xi extended festive greetings to all commanders and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces.

Huang Jizhong from the CMC's Joint Staff Department gave a lecture on issues concerning the building of modern border, sea and air defense and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively and had discussions afterward.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that border, sea and air defense is important symbol of national sovereignty, crucial gateway to national security and important guarantee of national development, to which the CPC has always attached great importance.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has consistently placed the development of border, sea and air defense in an important position in governing the country, strengthened the joint efforts of the Party, government, military, police, and civilians to consolidate the border defense, led a series of major reforms in the leadership and management system, structure of forces, and policy system concerning border, sea and air defense, commanded and carried out a series of major actions in this regard, having effectively defended China's territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests, and safeguarded national security and strategic initiative for development.

As a result, historic achievements have been made in the development of our country's border, sea and air defense. We are at a new starting point in this regard.

Xi noted that, as the world undergoes profound changes of a magnitude unseen in a century at an accelerating pace, the connotations and denotations of China's border, sea and air defense have changed dramatically, and the influencing factors have become more intricate and complex. As a result, the development of the country's border, sea and air defense is confronted with new opportunities and challenges.

It is imperative to adhere to systems thinking, strengthen overall coordination, and enhance the comprehensive capability to safeguard national sovereignty and border security.

Efforts should be made to coordinate the development of border, sea and air defense with the economic and social progress of border and coastal regions, strengthen infrastructure connectivity and collaborative construction and utilization, and establish a defense system that effectively ensures security while supporting development.

It is essential to strengthen technological empowerment, enhance the development of new methods and conditions for border, sea and air defense, and build an intelligent and multi-dimensional control system in this regard. It is also important to foster neighborly relations and pragmatic cooperation with neighboring countries to create a favorable surrounding environment for the development of border, sea and air defense.

Xi stressed that it is imperative to conscientiously implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, conduct in-depth research on major issues related to border, sea and air defense, consolidate and improve what has been achieved in reform, do a good job in fulfilling existing reform tasks, and intensify efforts to make arrangements for follow-up reform, so as to explore new ways of developing border, sea and air defense.

It is essential to ensure simultaneous actions on operation, reform and improvement, optimize the leadership management system of border, sea and air defense, refine the mechanism for military-civilian coordination, and strengthen the relevant legal system, so as to ensure that all aspects of work related to border, sea and air defense are regularized, orderly, smooth and efficient.

It is imperative to do a good job in managing the country's air traffic, and promote the healthy development of the low-altitude economy. The mode for developing civil air defense should also be optimized, and a modern civil air defense should be built.

Xi stressed that border, sea and air defense involves multiple departments and levels across both military and civilian sectors. It is imperative to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, give full play to the strengths of the combined efforts of the Party, government, military, police, and civilian sectors in reinforcing border stability and national defense, strengthen military-civilian joint planning, task alignment and resource integration in border, sea and air defense, and improve coordination of command and action between the military, police, and civilians to see that they unite as one and make joint efforts.

It is important for the military to proactively communicate and coordinate with local governments. The relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and central government, as well as local Party committees and governments, must strengthen awareness of national defense, diligently perform duties, and fully implement all tasks related to the development and consolidation of national defense.