A senior Chinese military official has urged the armed forces to be better prepared for missions in the new century.

Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remark during his recent inspection of the Nanjing Area Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

During his study tour, the official visited a number of PLA units and military academies, and had talks with officers and soldiers.

He urged the officers and soldiers to seriously study and implement the instructions of the CMC on military issues. PLA units of different levels should give priority to military training, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)