Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan stressed yesterday morning while meeting with delegates of the PLA postgraduate education reform conference that, we must focus on the fundamental goal of cultivating high quality, new type military talents, implement the important thought of "Three Represents" in an all-round way, grasp properly the trend of modern technology development and the rules of military education, and promote educational innovation in military colleges. We must continue to improve teaching quality and scientific research level, to provide strong talent and intellectual support for pushing military changes with Chinese characteristics, said Cao, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC, vice-chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and a state councilor.

　　Xu Caihou, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission and director of General Political Department and Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of the General Staff Headquarters attended the meeting.

　　Cao said talents were essential for building and managing the military force. To intensify the modernization drive of national defense and the armed forces, it is crucial to cultivate a large number of high quality, new type military talents, and to improve the capability of making scientific innovation and winning high-tech warfare. In the last decade, the doctors and masters trained by the PLA are 8.8 times and 2 times respectively against those before 1992. Among them, 42 have become academicians and 3,199 received special governmental subsidy. Postgraduates have independently finished or participated in nearly 80% of the scientific research projects of colleges, receiving over 20,000 awards at state or army levels. The discipline structure for postgraduate education becomes more rational, and discipline construction level has continued to be improved. Instructor team has been optimized and a right way for postgraduate education with the PLA characteristics has been found.

　　Cao pointed out, we must carry out the important thought of the "Three Represents" in an all-round way, and stick to the correct direction for college education. College, as the main channel for talent cultivation, is an important link and bears significant responsibilities in carrying out strategic project planning for talents. All colleges of the PLA must take the important thought of the "Three Represents" as the fundamental guideline for running school, and bring the important thought of the "Three Represents" into class and daily work, and into the whole process of talent cultivation.

　　By Du Xianzhou and Huang Huamin

　　(September 26, PLA Daily)