国内英语新闻:Senior Chinese military official stresses traditional values

BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese military official has urged soldiers and officers to learn from the older generations' self-sacrifice and hardworking spirit in completing missions and ensuring the security of the country.

Guo Boxiong, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, made the remarks Tuesday at a symposium to mark the 100th birthday of Yang Dezhi, former Vice Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Yang, born in 1911, participated in a series of wars and made great contributions to the liberty of the Chinese people and the founding of the new China. He died in 1994 at the age of 83.

Hailing Yang's loyalty to the Party and his wisdom and bravery, Guo urged soldiers and officers to carry on the firm belief in the Communist undertaking and learn from Yang's various qualities in promoting the PLA construction and ensuring the security and development of the country.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and some 200 relatives and friends of Yang attended the symposium.