President Jiang Zemin said on November 12 that China must engage in cross-century advancement of military work.

Jiang, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, spoke to a meeting of the PLA chiefs-of-staff.

Safeguarding security and unification is of primary importance to any nation, and a powerful national defence and military strength are solid backing for national security, said Jiang, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Jiang pointed out that China opposes any unjust wars. But in just wars such as safeguarding its security and unity, it will fight to win.

He said Chinese army strategy should be fully developed to prepare the military for possible war, adding that people are the critical factor for winning a war, while weaponry should also be improved and strengthened.

Command centres, called the "brains of an army" by late Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, should be given strategic importance in army-building and be made into highly efficient military decision-making institutions, according to Jiang. He also called for greater efforts to foster a team of military talent for staff chiefs.

The five-day meeting of chiefs-of-staff concluded yesterday afternoon.

Those present at the meeting included vice-chairmen of Central Military Commission Hu Jintao, Zhang Wannian, Chi Haotian, and several members of the Central Military Commission.