Chinese President Xi Jinping (R, front), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with senior officers of the 71st Group Army of the People's Liberation Army in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2017. Xi inspected the 71st Group Army of the People's Liberation Army in Xuzhou on Dec. 13. (Li Gang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the army to restructure and enhance its combat readiness.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks Wednesday while inspecting the 71st Group Army.

Xi told officers of the group army that they should grasp the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and incorporate the spirit into military practice.

The army was urged to strengthen Party organizations at all levels and ensure that servicemen and servicewomen follow the command of the CPC Central Committee and CMC.

Xi stressed political discipline and rules in the military, efforts to fight corruption, and improving work styles.

He also instructed the army to enhance its capability to win wars, implement restructuring plans, and improve army management and combat mobility.

"The army should innovate its training theories and methods, conduct more combat drills and build soldiers' morale," he said, urging commanding officers to take responsibility and demonstrate leadership.