Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with representatives during an inspection of the PLA Rocket Force in Beijing on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday instructed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force to continue to build itself into a strong and modern rocket force.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during an inspection of the PLA Rocket Force, as he congratulated the first PLA Rocket Force Party congress.

He described the force as a "core of strategic deterrence, a strategic buttress to the country's position as a major power, and a cornerstone on which to build national security."

The PLA Rocket Force was established at the end of last year, part of a wider military structural reform drive. Xi conferred the military flag on the Rocket Force at its inauguration ceremony held in Beijing on Dec. 31, 2015.

Amid the changing international situation and major challenges to national security, the Rocket Force has played an "irreplaceable" role in containing war threats, ensuring a secure and favorable strategic posture for China, as well as maintaining global strategic balance and stability, said Xi.

Xi urged the Rocket Force to increase its sense of crisis and strengthen its strategic ability so as to provide a safe strategic security environment for the nation.

New breakthroughs should be made in enhancing the troop's strategic containment capacity, combat preparedness and application of strategy, Xi noted.

Xi asked the Rocket Force to follow the Party's absolute leadership, maintain a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee and follow the command of CPC Central Committee and the CMC.

He also told Party organizations to promote institutional innovation and strengthen their creativity, cohesion and combat capacity, urging them to improve the way talents are recruited and used.

In addition, Xi asked for unrelenting efforts when building a clean and honest army and wiping out corruption.

He also said education and supervision for leading officials should be strengthened.