A military symposium commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Addressing the symposium, Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged the armed forces to keep in mind that a nation can only be secure if it has a strong military.

Zhang stressed the need to strengthen the absolute leadership of the Party over the armed forces, enhance combat preparedness, and accelerate national defense and military modernization through reforms, technological innovation and improved governance.

He also called for safeguarding the post-WWII international order, building a community with a shared future for humanity, and upholding China's role as a steadfast force for world peace.