President Hu Jintao on Sunday urged the Chinese People's Armed Police Corps (PAPC) to step up military training and strengthen its ability to deal with its duties, as well as unexpected events and terrorism.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Front) meets with delegates to a plenary session of the Committee of the Chinese People's Armed Police Corps (PAPC) of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 4, 2009.

The PAPC should take practical actions to safeguard national unity and security, social harmony and stability, and people's happiness, said Hu, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Hu praised the Corps for its role and outstanding contribution in accomplishing urgent, difficult and risky tasks in the past year, at a meeting with participants of a plenary session of the Party Committee of the PAPC.

"The Party, the government and the people are grateful to you," he said.

The year 2009 is a crucial one for the development of the Party and the state, Hu said, noting that China faces opportunities and challenges. "The tasks ahead are complicated, heavy and hard," he stressed.

Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, was also present at the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2009)