Xi's visit to border troops boosts soldier morale

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with a soldier on patrol at the border line in Arxan of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2014. Xi visited soldiers stationed along the Chinese-Mongolian border ahead of the upcoming traditional Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

The Chinese army and armed police forces said that their morale was greatly boosted after a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to border troops.

The visit that Xi made on Sunday took place in extremely low temperatures in the Sino-Mongolian border where the soldiers were stationed.

During the visit, Xi chatted with a team of soldiers on a patrol mission, expressed his appreciation to them for struggling in the harsh weather to safeguard the country, and joined officers and soldiers for lunch at their canteen.

Lu Lanjun, a sentry guard at Jianfeng Mountain in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said that the president's visit was heart-warming.

The soldiers said that they were greatly encouraged by Xi's visit and vowed to make greater contribution to building a strong military power as well as accomplishing all tasks given by the Party and the people.