The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) must be ready to defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning other nations to steer clear of Chinese interests, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday. Beijing will continue to invest in reforming and modernizing the capabilities of the armed forces, as the PLA is pivotal in protecting the sovereignty of China, he said. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the PLA, Xi urged the army to set up an elite unit that will be
able to respond swiftly to global challenges. “The Chinese people love peace. We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions,” Xi said, according to Reuters. Indirectly referencing the expansion of US interests in Southeast Asia, Xi warned Washington and its allies to steer clear of contentious issues in the region, READ MORE
