The military should boost integration with civilian sectors, and use scientific and technological innovation to modernize its weapons and equipment, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a meeting with the People's Liberation Army delegation to the annual session of the country's top legislature on March 12.

Such strategic thinking points out the direction of high technology-based modernization of the PLA, and offers scientific theoretical guidance for its development.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in late 2012, China has taken faster and bigger steps toward scientific and technological innovation. For example, China has become the leading player in quantum communications, high-speed railways and other high-tech fields. Its aerospace and deep-sea exploration technologies are also among the most advanced in the world.