Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao has exalted retired military officers as meritorious for the people and "valuable treasure" for the party, the nation and the Army.

Hu, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, sent a letter to a teleconference held by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to reward 84 sanitariums for retired army officers, 192 meritorious retirees and 106 individuals who have done an excellent job in taking care of these military retirees.

"These retired army officers have made enduring and enormous contributions to China's revolution, development and reform as well as the buildup and development of the army, the letter says," the letter said. "The Party and the people as well as the whole army would never forget what these retired officers have done.

Hu urged party committees and governments at all levels to give top priority retired army officers as part of the efforts to practice the "Important Thought of the "Three Represents."

Xu Caihou, the newly-appointed CMC vice chairman and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, spoke at the meeting to call for greater efforts in taking care of the military retirees "under the new situation."

Li Jinai, a CMC member and director of the PLA General Political Department, presented a summary of the efforts to look after the retired officers over the past five years.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2004)