CHONGQING - President Xi Jinping has urged the strengthening of the armed forces through reforms when inspecting troops in Southwest China.

Xi said the military must be guided by the objective of building a strong army, carry out military strategies under the new circumstances and advance army building through the enhancement of political awareness.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection of troops in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing on Tuesday.

Xi also called for building a strong army through reforms and commanding the military in line with laws and rules.