President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during a meeting with PLA deputies to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, in Beijing, March 11, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ma Gang, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, said China should have a military that can match its power status, "especially when its sovereignty and maritime interests are being challenged by some countries."

He added: "It is every military's duty to safeguard its homeland, and China is no exception. Instead of posing a threat to the world, the fact that China has a stronger military enables the country to shoulder more international responsibilities such as fighting against pirates and peacekeeping missions."

Xi's words on the role of the market indicate that more opportunities will be given to private enterprises in China that aspire to defense contracts, said Wang Ya'nan, a military observer in Beijing.

"A great number of private companies have been waiting for the top leadership to open more defense market to them," he said. "Now it is obvious that the government is determined to inject momentum into the defense industry and introduce fiercer competition in the market."

Wang added that the move will encourage the private sector to develop more advanced weapons.

Contact the writers at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn and zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn.