Xi stresses deepening political rectification at training session for military officials

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a training session for high-ranking military officials in Beijing, capital of China, April 8, 2026. The training session opened at the National Defense University in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged efforts to deepen political rectification in the military to maintain the purity and glory of the people's armed forces.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks when he addressed the opening ceremony of a training session for high-ranking military officials, which was held at the National Defense University in Beijing on the same day.

He called for a fresh political outlook to greet the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which will be marked in 2027.

Stressing the significance of ideals and convictions, Xi said being part of the Party and the military means having firm faith in Marxism and being loyal to the Party. He called on high-ranking military officials to take the lead in carrying out intra-party political activities in earnest and in speaking the truth.

All thoughts or actions driven by personal gains and corruption are completely incompatible with the Party's nature and purpose, Xi said.

Xi also urged high-ranking military officials to take the lead in restoring and carrying forward the fine traditions of the Party and the military, put down the official airs, and remain true to the identity of revolutionary service personnel.

Xi noted that everyone should be equal before laws and regulations, and there are no special cases in the observance of laws and regulations and no exceptions in their enforcement.

Xi expressed the belief that the military, with unprecedented solidarity and unity under the new historical circumstances, will write a new chapter in building a strong army.

Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the CMC, presided over the opening ceremony of the training session.