Special report: Marking 80th anniversary of PLA 　     

    BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) must be able to effectively manage crises, uphold peace and forestall war, and win the war should it occur.

    At a meeting to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the PLA at the Great Hall of the People, Hu said, "We must study ways of running the armed forces under the new situation, enhance defense forces in all aspects and get prepared for military operation at any time."

    Hu said, "The historical mission of the armed forces in the new century and the new era is to provide an important guarantee of strength for consolidating the status of the Communist Party of China as the ruling party and security guarantee for national development in a period of important strategic opportunities, serve as a strategic underpinning for upholding national interests and play an important role in maintaining world peace and promoting common development."