Pakistan, July 1 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to strengthen and modernise China's military while intensifying efforts to eliminate corruption within the ruling Communist Party, as the country marked the 105th anniversary of the party's founding.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi addressed senior political and military leaders alongside Communist Party members, stressing that a strong military remains essential to China's national development and security.

Xi said the Communist Party would continue to exercise absolute leadership over the armed forces and prioritise the modernisation of national defence. He also vowed to continue what he described as a comprehensive and long-term ba...