BEIJING - A senior Chinese military official has urged that more talents be fostered and scientific research deepened in the military field to build strong support for the country's military construction and battle capabilities.

Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during his recent visits to the National Defence University and the Academy of Military Sciences. Both institutions are under the People's Liberation Army, according to a statement released Sunday.

Xu called for the entire army to make a habit of researching wars and tracking the evolution of battle styles in order to identify key factors that have led to victories during wartime.

Xu urged the university and the academy to shoulder their roles as the country's military think tanks by focusing on military revolutions and scientific development in the military field in order to make cutting-edge achievements that will influence the outcomes of potential future wars.

He also stressed the fostering of more military talents that will be loyal to the Party and the people, well-versed in modern warfare and adept at using new kinds of weaponry in information warfare.