The Chinese Air Force plays an extremely important role in
safeguarding national sovereignty and security, said Jiang Zemin,
chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Wednesday.
Jiang made the remark when he and CMC Vice-Chairman Hu Jintao
were meeting with delegates attending the 10th Communist Party of
China conference of the Chinese Air Force.
For over 50 years, the air force has made important
contributions to the safeguarding of national sovereignty and
unity, Jiang said, noting the air force has become an important
military force with high modernization levels.
He expressed his hope that the air force will make more
contributions for national air security and reunification of the
country.
(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2004)