This combo photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaking with soldiers at a border defense station in Khunjerab under the Xinjiang military command, soldiers from a patrolling Chinese navy formation, soldiers in an air force aviation brigade and soldiers from the Falcon Commando Unit under the armed police force via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2023. Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the combat readiness of the armed forces via video link ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year. Xi extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the combat readiness of the armed forces via video link ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces.

Xi attaches great importance to the military's combat readiness. At about 4:30 p.m., he spoke with soldiers from several troops undertaking border defense, coastal defense, air defense, stability maintenance and emergency response duties via video link.

During the video calls, Xi asked soldiers at a border defense station in Khunjerab, under the Xinjiang military command, about their border patrol and management work. Xi hailed the soldiers as models of border defence and encouraged them to persist in their efforts and make new contributions.

When speaking with soldiers from a patrolling Chinese navy formation, Xi inquired about their emergency response readiness.

After hearing about the routine air defense combat readiness duties of soldiers in an air force aviation brigade, Xi ordered them to remain alert and be ready for combat, and to raise their vigilance level during the Spring Festival to maintain airspace security.

Xi also spoke with soldiers from the Falcon Commando Unit under the armed police force, a core anti-terrorism unit at the national level. He inquired about their special operations skills training. He urged the soldiers to make strenuous efforts to enhance their competence and perform their duties as loyal guardians.

After his virtual talks with the soldiers, Xi said he fully recognized the troops' combat readiness.

Xi called on the military to fulfill their combat readiness duties and safeguard national security and social stability, so as to ensure that all Chinese people are able to have a happy and safe Spring Festival.