Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited a unit of the Beijing Military Area Command on January 28, passing on New Year greetings from the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

Jiang, also general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the barracks, shook hands with the soldiers and chatted about their living conditions and what culinary delights they are preparing for New Year's Eve and the days that follow during the festive period.

Jiang urged soldiers to learn political theory, study China's history and improve their military knowledge and skills.

Accompanying Jiang were other senior leaders including Hu Jintao, Zhang Wannian and Chi Haotian. (Xinhua)