Jiang Zemin Stresses Development of Defense Technology ����Chinese President Jiang Zemin, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on January 8 urged the nation's defense industry to focus on coordinating the development of military technology and equipment with smaller investments and greater returns. ����Jiang, who also serves as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a major conference sponsored by the General Equipment Department under the People's Liberation Army (PLA). ����Jiang praised China's defense industry for successfully developing sophisticated equipment including nuclear weapons and rockets. He said the industry's efforts have established a solid foundation for safeguarding the national security and raising the nation's international status. ����He noted that China faces both rare opportunities and crucial challenges in national defense and military modernization at a time when other countries are upgrading high-tech military hardwares. He stressed that the development of military science, technology and equipment represents the major criteria for ensuring the nation's national defense readiness. ���� TopNews 1999-01-09 Page1 Full Story in Chinese