Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 08 February 2024. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on on 08 February in Beijing. EPA-EFE/XINHUA / JU PENG CHINA OUT / UK AND IRELAND OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged his country's military to prepare for conflicts at sea and protect its maritime rights and interests during a meeting with delegations of the armed forces, state-run media said, amid tensions in the East and South China seas.

Xi, who chairs the Central Military Commission, the highest national defense organization, also called on the military to enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas such as cyberspace and outer space. He encouraged the promotion of China's aerospace system development and the building of a cyberspace defense system.

The leader issued the instructions during the meeting at this year's National People's Congress, or China's parliament, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

According to Hong Kong media, a senior Chinese navy officer said a plan to build the country's fourth aircraft carrier is in progress. It remains unclear whether the vessel will be nuclear-powered.

China has overlapping territorial claims with other countries in the East and South China seas.

==Kyodo

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