An amendment to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has intensified the missions of the Party's military forces.

The amendment was adopted at the 17th National Congress of the CPC on Oct. 21, stressing the need to "earnestly ensure the PLA to accomplish its historic missions in the new era."

The CPC has identified four missions that the army should safeguard: the Party's governing post, a peaceful environment for the country's strategic development, the country's interests and the world's peace and common development.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)