Premier Li: China has reduced army size by 300,000

China has basically completed the task of reducing the armed forces by 300,000 troops, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday.[Special coverage]

Li made the remarks when delivering his annual government work report to lawmakers during the opening meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held in Beijing from March 5 to 20.

Over the past five years, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) and the Central Military Commission, China has embarked on a new stage in strengthening and energizing the armed forces, Li said.

"We have undertaken major missions involving the protection of maritime rights, countering terrorism and maintaining stability, disaster rescue and relief, international peacekeeping, escort services in the Gulf of Aden, and humanitarian rescue."

Military equipment has been significantly modernized, and China has deepened military-civilian integration, Premier Li noted.