Xi Pushes for Quality Growth and Party Grip on the Military
In a speech marking the Long March's 90th anniversary, China's Xi Jinping called for high-quality economic development and reaffirmed the Communist Party's absolute control over the armed forces.
BEIJING, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping urged effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy in a speech on Thursday, Xinhua reported.
"We must resolutely promote high-quality development and continuously meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life," Xi said about promoting comprehensive social progress while maintaining stability.
He also emphasised upholding the Communist Party of China's "absolute leadership" over the armed forces and advancing the "political building of the military", the state news agency reported.
The leader mentioned reform in the military, and strengthening through science and technology, as well as with talent and lawful governance.
The speech was part of commemorations for the 90th anniversary of the Long March, a series of retreats by the Red Army, led by Mao Zedong, to evade the pursuing Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek in 1934 and 1935.
(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
