Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday called for greater efforts to modernize the country's armed forces to ensure national security.

Hu, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while meeting delegates to the Beijing Military Area Command's ninth congress of the Communist Party of China.

Hu said the Beijing Military Area Command is of vital strategic importance and it has accomplished the tasks assigned by the Party and the Chinese people in recent years.

China's military development should be guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the "Three Represents", Hu said.

Hu said the People's Liberation Army should uphold the fundamental principle of absolute Party leadership over the armed forces, and further beef up military training.

He urged the PLA to continue making contributions to the prosperity and harmony of the country and joining hands with local governments in maintaining social stability.

Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, both vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, were present during the meeting.

Editor: Yan