Xi calls for building strong army that can "defeat all invading enemies"

He said the army should be able to "safeguard world peace."

After overseeing a grand military parade at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to mark the PLA's 90th anniversary, Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency that: "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded."

Stating the need of building a strong army, Xi said: "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history."

He said protecting peace is a responsibility of the people's army.

Xi made the remarks amid heightening tension between India and China over the border standoff near Sikkim.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Doval also attended the BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues.

"NSA Shri Ajit Doval attends the 7th #BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Beijing today," Embassy of India in Beijing tweeted.

"NSA Shri Ajit Doval met with President Xi Jinping along with other #BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues," it said.

Doval met the Chinese leader amid rising tension between the two nations over the border standoff at Sikkim.

China asked  India on Monday not to  nurture  "illusory thinking" about the Chinese army's ability and immediately withdraw its troops from the Doka La border,  Xinhua news agency reported.

"The 90-year history of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) demonstrated that the army's ability to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity has continued to strengthen. It is easier to shake the mountains than to shake the PLA," defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press conference in Beijing.