Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that the country's military must be “prepared to respond” to the current "complex and difficult situations" which remain largely unstable and uncertain.

“The current security situation of our country is largely unstable and uncertain. The entire military must coordinate the relationship between capacity building and combat readiness, be prepared to respond to a variety of complex and difficult situations at any time, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and provide strong support for the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist state,” the South China Morning Post quoted Xi as saying during a panel discussion attended by armed forces representatives in Beijing.

The newspaper said that Xi, who also heads the Central Military Commission, also emphasised the need for “high-level strategic deterrence and a joint combat system”, and more technological innovation in the military.

Xi's comments come after Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe on Saturday had called for the military to boost combat readiness, saying China’s national security had “entered a high-risk phase”.

“We are facing mounting tasks in national defence… and we must comprehensively improve military training and preparedness for battle so as to increase our strategic capabilities to prevail over our strong enemies,” Wei had told military delegates at a meeting on the sidelines of the legislative sessions.

“The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is at a critical stage where we are facing unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges,” he said warning that US containment efforts would “last throughout the process of China’s national rejuvenation”.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Washington not to cross the “red line” on Taiwan, saying there was “no room for compromise or concession on the Taiwan issue”.