General Zhang Wannian, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army to be absolutely loyal to the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Zhang made the call at a panel discussion attended by deputies to the National People's Congress from the armed forces.

"Upholding the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces is a fundamental principle for our army building," he said. "All soldiers and officers of the PLA, leading officers at all levels in particular, must have a clear stand on this question."

"The whole army should, under any circumstances, act according to directions of the Party Central Committee with Jiang Zemin at the core, and maintain, for ever, its nature, original color, and style as a people's army," the general said.

Also speaking during the discussion, Defense Minister Chi Haotian, who is also a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, urged further implementing military strategic guidelines in the new period, pushing ahead with the building and reform of the army, and elevating the army's modernization to a higher level.

Greater efforts should be made to foster and educate new-style military talents of a high quality, further carry out military exercises with focus on science and technology, make efforts to improve the ability of managing the army and handle modern warfare under the new situation, the defense minister said.