Xi hails border defense forces' work

President Xi Jinping has stressed the necessity to strengthen the all-around development of the nation's border troops, build up the capacity for border defense and control, and strive to forge a "great wall of steel" in safeguarding China's borders.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Wednesday as he surveyed China's border management and control and the development of its border troops in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

He listened to briefings from the People's Liberation Army Northern Theater Command, the PLA Ground Force, the border defense brigade stationed in Inner Mongolia and the Inner Mongolia Military Area Command.