President Xi Jinping has said China will spur military innovation and called on the army to create a new strategy for "information warfare" as the country embarks on military reform, state media said on Saturday.

Xi heads the Central Military Commission, which controls the 2.3-million-strong armed forces, the world's largest, and is stepping up efforts to modernize forces.

During a meeting with the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xi said China "must vigorously promote military innovation" but warned it will be difficult.