Xi Jinping Delivers Important Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Training Program for Senior Military Cadres, Emphasizing
Carry out ideological rectification and deepen political training to present a new political image.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Liberation Army

April 8, 2026 Source: “Study in China” Learning Platform

On the morning of April 8, the Training Program for Senior Military Cadres was inaugurated at the National Defense University. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the opening ceremony and delivered an important speech. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Gang.

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) — A training program for senior officers of the People’s Liberation Army was inaugurated at the National Defense University on the morning of April 8. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the opening ceremony and delivered an important speech. He emphasized the need to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle, thoroughly implement the Thought on Strengthening the Military in the New Era, carry out ideological rectification, deepen political training, and strengthen the revolutionary forging of the PLA’s cadre corps, so as to always maintain the purity and glory of the people’s armed forces and greet the centenary of the founding of the PLA with a fresh political appearance.

Xi Jinping pointed out that our Party and our armed forces are united by shared ideals and convictions; to join this Party and this military is to hold firm to Marxism and to be loyal to the Party’s faith, its organizations, and its cause. We must study the Party’s innovative theories in earnest, master the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and methodology that run through them, and ensure political steadfastness through theoretical clarity. Leading cadres in the military, especially senior ones, must take the lead in conducting rigorous intra-Party political life, set an example in speaking truthfully, cultivate a broad-mindedness that tolerates others, and foster a robust atmosphere in which facts are told honestly, candid advice is offered, and courageous struggle is embraced.

Xi Jinping emphasized that our Party is a Marxist party that consistently represents the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people and has no special interests of its own; any thought or behavior motivated by personal gain or corruption is utterly incompatible with the Party’s nature and purpose. Cadres at all levels in the armed forces must consciously place themselves in the proper position, firmly stand on the side of the masses, and overcome all selfish and extraneous thoughts and tendencies that alienate them from the people. Senior cadres must take the lead in restoring and carrying forward the fine traditions of our Party and our military, cast aside official airs, return to the true character of revolutionary soldiers, and ensure that a new atmosphere of integrity and uprightness prevails even more fully throughout the armed forces. They must understand the law and discipline, be clear about the rules and regulations, and cultivate a sense of reverence for them, so that everyone is equal before the laws and regulations, there are no exceptions in observing them, and no one is exempt from enforcing them.

Xi Jinping pointed out that our Party and our armed forces have continuously grown and strengthened through the struggle against various erroneous ideologies and work styles. He expressed confidence that, under the guidance of Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the People’s Armed Forces will achieve an unprecedented level of unity and cohesion in the new historical context, thus writing a new chapter in building a strong military that lives up to the sacrifices of our revolutionary forebears, honors our century-old foundation, and meets the demands of this great era.

Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the opening ceremony. Attendees included trainees from the first session of the PLA Senior Cadre Training Program, as well as principal officials from various departments of the CMC organs and relevant units of the armed forces stationed in Beijing. The opening ceremony was conducted via videoconference, with sub-venues set up at all relevant military-level and above units across the armed forces. (Reporter Mei Changwei)

Editor-in-charge: Zhang Qiulan