China's Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan has urged frontier troops to further foster their abilities of safeguarding the border and firmly accomplish the tasks endorsed by the Communist Party of China and the people.

The Army, the police, and civilians should join hands in defending and controlling the border, said Cao, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and state councilor.

Cao made remarks during a recent inspection tour to frontier troops in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, respectively.

Saying that President and CMC Chairman Hu Jintao has paid great attention to the health of frontier guards, the defense minister urged commanders at different levels to improve working and living conditions and medical service for frontier troops, so as to create a sound environment for them to carry out their duties.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2006)