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)