BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday that China is to build "slim but strong" armed forces and strike a sound balance between speed, quality and efficiency in the modernization drive of the country's 2.3 million-member troops.

At a meeting marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Hall of the People, Hu said, "We must endeavor to achieve sound and fast modernization of national defense and armed forces."

"In the new century and new stage, modernization of defense and military capabilities must be integrated into the country's overall modernization strategy and serve the interests of national security and development," Hu said.