Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Hu Jintao visits the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Friday, to mark its 50th anniversary.

　　BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Hu Jintao visited the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Friday, to mark its 50th anniversary.

　　Hu, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited the country's top military academy in the company of CMC vice chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.

　　During his visit, Hu met with the academy's retired leaders. He also met with its current senior officials, including president Liu Chengjun and political commissar Liu Yuan.

　　Hu showed great interest in a demonstration at the academy's lab, which is known as the Research and Experimental Center for Joint War Action. The top leader praised the academy's comprehensive method of studying major practical issues. He instructed the academy to construct, manage and use the lab well and let it play its proper role.

　　He urged the academy to drive forward the innovation of military theory and develop military sciences, so as to meet the requirements of the 17th National Congress of the CPC and new conditions.

　　"As the research center for military sciences of the whole Army, the military academy has a glorious mission and significant responsibilities," Hu stressed. He called for persistence in achieving the correct orientation in military research.

　　On the same day, a gathering was held at the academy to celebrate its anniversary, which was attended by the two CMC vice chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, and other members of the CMC including Liang Guanglie, Chen Bingde, Li Jinai, Liao Xilong, Chang Wanquan, Jing Zhiyuan, Wu Shengli and Xu Qiliang.

　　Guo addressed the gathering and recalled the academy's achievements over the past 50 years and its major contributions to the development of the Army and defense as well as China's military modernization.

　　The academy, which is considered to be China's primary military think tank, has completed more than 2,300 academic programs over the past five decades.

　　The academy also sponsors international academic conferences, such as the Xiangshan International Forum and the International Symposium on the Sun Zi Strategy.