At the plenary meeting of the PLA delegation, Chairman Hu Jintao pointed out that the PLA should, centering around its historic mission in the new period of the new century, speed up the military changes with Chinese characteristics, strive to improve its informationizaiton level, attend most closely to the preparations for the military struggle and enhance its capabilities of coping with the crisis, safeguarding peace, curbing war and winning battles. Chairman Hu Jintao’s important speech has immediately evoked strong response in the PLA delegation. The deputies said in their panel discussion that they should live up to the mission assigned to them and the full trust placed on them. These sonorous and forceful remarks have expressed the true voice of the officers and men of the whole army.

　　“Living up to the mission assigned to us and the full trust placed on us” has adequately embodied a strong sense of responsibility. The magnificent history of our army has always been closely linked with the word “mission”, which, however, has its different connotations at different periods. In the new period of the new century, the concept of national defense is not confined to pure frontier and coastal defense, but expended to the political, economic, military, scientific and technological and other fields, and penetrated into all aspects of our social life. All these have raised new and higher demand upon the PLA in carrying out its missions.

　　“Living up to the mission assigned to us and the full trust placed on us” has adequately embodied a strong sense of urgency. Currently, the PLA is facing the informationization challenge while it has not yet fulfilled the task of mechanization. Whether it can map out the plan for its own building and reform and promote its leapfrog development with a forward-looking perspective and strategic thinking will have a direct bearing on whether the PLA can provide a reliable security guarantee for securing the important strategic opportunities for the development of our country.

　　“Living up to the mission assigned to us and the full trust placed on us” has also expressed the iron resolve of the officers and men of the PLA to defend the motherland and the interests of the people. The interests of the people are also the interests of the army, and the needs of the people are the mission of the army. The mission assigned to the PLA is as heavy as the Mountain Tai. The PLA is ready at all times to respond to the call of the motherland and the people and has the resolve, confidence and capability to shoulder the lofty missions entrusted by the Party and the people in the new period of the new century.

　　By Chen Guangzhao

　　(Mar. 14, PLA Daily)