Symposium to commemorate Chen Xilian held in Beijing

A symposium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chen Xilian's birth was held in Beijing on January 5, 2015.

Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who is also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and met with relatives of Chen Xilian before the symposium.

Chen Xilian (1915-1999) was a member of the Political Bureau of the 9th, 10th and 11th CPC Central Committee.

He was conferred the military rank of General in 1955 and acted as the commander of the Shenyang Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), commander of the Beijing MAC, member of the Standing Committee of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and vice premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

Fan Changlong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of China's CMC, delivered a speech at the symposium.

He underscored that with the Party's goal of strengthening the military under the new situation in mind, the PLA will make contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Zhao Leji, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC and head of the CPC Organization Department, attended the symposium.

Fang Fenghui, member of the CMC and chief of general staff of the PLA, presided over the symposium.