The people's air defence is a major part of the national defense, and a social cause for the interests of the whole people, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin while addressing the fourth national conference on people's air defense.

Attending the meeting were other Chinese leaders including Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing and Li Lanqing.

Jiang is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission. He noted that as a major part of the national defense, the People's air defence is a main component of modern urban building.

He urged the Party, government, and military departments of all levels to have a better understanding of the international and domestic situation, so as to give strategic priority to civil air defense.

Premier Zhu Rongji urged air defense construction to employ high technology and improve the anti-airraid capability of the nation.

Air defense facilities should be constructed continuously in tandem with economic development and urban construction, Zhu said at the meeting which ends on November 8.

Zhu called on local authorities to arrange air defense projects, organize construction in cities and improve people's perceptions of air defense.

He stressed that at modern times hegemonism and power politics still exist in the world. Faced with a complicated international political, economic and military situation, the Chinese people must enhance their consciousness of national security.

While being necessary infrastructure during wartime, air defense facilities would also be used for disaster relief and for business purposes during times of peace, Zhu said.

Fu Quanyou, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said that air defense work should better serve national economic development.

The conference summarized the achievements in the development of the country's air defense in the past five decades and discussed the sector's future prospects.

At the meeting, 32 cities, 127 units and 300 individuals were commended by the National Defense Mobilization Committee for their contribution to the effort.

(CIIC 11/09/2000)