BEIJING, Aug. 17 -- The People's Liberation Army, China's armed forces, should clearly understand the significance of participating in and supporting the development of China's western region, and strive to make even greater contributions to the endeavor, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan stressed recently.

Cao, also member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, made the comment during his inspection tour of Ningxia, Gansu and Xinjiang.

He said the army should understand the course of western development from the national development strategy and from the fulfillment of the army's historical mission in the new century and new period.

During his tour, Cao made field inspections of a number of key projects aided by the army including the Lanzhou-Chengdu-Chongqing oil pipeline, the Dashagou afforestation ecological engineering project in Lanzhou City, the first station of the West-to-East natural gas transmission project and the Urumqi reemployment pioneering Garden, etc.

He highly praised the officers and soldiers involved in undertaking the projects for their spirit of braving hardships, and daring to fight tough battles.Cao held meetings to listen to the work reports on supporting the development of the western region from the Lanzhou Military Area Command, the Air Force of the Lanzhou Military Area Command, a base of the General Armaments Department of the PLA and the Armed Police Xinjiang Contingent.

He was also given an introduction to the experience by a group army and an infantry division of the Lanzhou Military Area Command and the No. 4 Military Medical University. Cao appreciated their achievements made in supporting the development of the western region.

(Source: PLA Daily/Gov.cn)