Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) views an exhibition featuring the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily during an inspection of the PLA Daily headquarters in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

The daily should "do its best" to consolidate mainstream thoughts so that the Party's proposition should be "the strongest sound" of the time, he said.

Xi asked the paper to explain the ongoing military reform to the officers and soliders, including the content and significance of the reform, the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, and reform measures that will directly affect their interests.

The paper should guide the officiers and soldiers to support and take part in the reform, he said.

Xi also stressed innovation in the Internet era and asked the paper to follow the trend of cyber development and take advantage of the Internet to promote the paper.

The president called on journalists to go to grassroot units and have first-hand observation of the troops. He emphasized the importance of fostering a team that is loyal to the party, professionally excellent and unbeatable in morale.