Researchers and officers with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and researchers attending the 18th CPC National Congress have clarified their views on President Hu Jintao's report, national defense development and security strategies, People.com.cn reported Wednesday.

Mei Wen (second from right), senior colonel and political commissar of China's first aircraft carrier the Liaoning, speaks during the group discussion of the 18th CPC National Congress. [Xinhua photo]

Mei Wen, senior colonel and political commissar of China's first aircraft carrier christened the Liaoning, said that the army shoulders the sacred responsibility of keeping the country's national defense mechanism well-oiled. "We must effectively safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in addition guarantee peaceful development."

On Sept. 25, the Liaoning was delivered and commissioned to the PLA Navy during an official ceremony at the naval base in Dalian Port. Mei Wen was appointed to serve as the carrier's first political commissar.

"The event marked just how China's military equipment construction has made significant progress," said Mei. "I have taken on duties in three types of warships, so I have witnessed the development of three generations of Chinese warships with my own eyes. As a new type of Chinese battleship, the aircraft carrier is entrusted with vital responsibilities in promoting the development of naval construction."

Li Jie, researcher with the Chinese Naval Military Academic Research Institute, said that from the current situation, three factors - marine, space and cyberspace - are producing far-reaching impacts, in particular on the country's military and economic security.

"Despite its major achievements, China still lags far behind in those three fields when compared to Western countries," said Li. "In the past two years, China has faced severe and complicated circumstances in the South China Sea and the East Sea."

"So far, we can only be called a big marine country instead of a strong marine country," Li said. "President Hu's report puts forward the theory of turning China into a strong marine country. It shows that the Chinese government is giving top priority to the issue."

Wang Yizhou, professor with the School of International Studies at Peking University, clarified his position on the matter. "In order to have a bigger say in marine-related issues, China must build up both its soft and hard military strength. The soft strength includes initiative planning, strategy, design and overall arrangement," he said.

Prof. Wang stressed that the nation's soft strength must be have hard strength as a backup. "It must be united with the speed and scale of national economic development. In recent years, the China Marine Surveillance (CMS) has frequently sailed out to safeguard fishing and maritime rights. The Chinese navy has regularly undertaken escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has served in the navy. Deep-sea manned submersible technology has been continuously improved. All these improvements have made our people feel proud and reassured," he said.