China’s Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Fan Changlong has stressed the role of the military in the country’s overall diplomatic drive.
“Focus on fostering diplomatic ties with major countries as well as neighbouring regions, managing well significant diplomatic events, emergency responses and the guidance of public opinions,” Fan said at a meeting on the military’s foreign affairs work held this week.
Fan said that the army should effectively contribute to the country’s overall diplomatic work and serve military construction and combat preparation.
The call followed China President Xi Jinping’s remarks earlier this week that military authorities should unswervingly follow the party’s “absolute leadership” in performing military diplomacy, strengthening international military exchanges in accordance with China’s overall diplomatic and security strategies.