General Cao Gangchuan, director of the General Armament Department (GAD) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has called for the acceleration of the pace of reforming China's military industry.

The industry should be restructured bringing into consideration the new situation of building a socialist market economy in the country.

Cao, who is a member of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a recent workshop attended by heads of PLA bureaus in charge of dispatching army representatives to military factories across the country.

He urged to build up, as early as possible, the necessary mechanisms for competition, appraisal, supervision and encouragement.

In his address, the general thanked all the military representatives for their contribution to the development of the defense industry over the decades.

It is the first meeting of its kind ever held since the GAD was set up in April 1998.

(Xinhua)