BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinpinghas urged building a solid national defense and strong armed forces that are commensurate with China's international status and national security and development interests.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a gathering on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

He also noted that the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces is the fundamental guarantee for the army's victory.

"To build a strong country requires efforts to build a strong army, and only with a strong army can the country be secured," Xi said.

He called for efforts to foster a new generation of Chinese servicemen who are "soldiers with soul, high calibre, guts and virtue," and to build rock-solid troops with "iron-like beliefs, conviction, discipline and commitment."