Image copyright Reuters Image caption Papers say China needs a large military to counter external threats

Media discuss China's military capabilities as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) celebrates its 87th anniversary.

The People's Daily website has published a video clip which is "dedicated" to the PLA. It shows the development of the army from its early days to its present form.

The Liberation Army Daily salutes "the people's soldiers who have served the country in the past 87 years".

The paper asks the "whole military to learn and execute the teachings of Chairman Xi Jinping to raise the level of military training". President Xi Jinping is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission.

A commentary from state-run Xinhua news agency says it is important for China to have a strong military because it faces "external military threats".

"It is impossible to revive the greatness of the country and realise the China dream without having a strong and competent army," it says.

The Global Times, however, expresses concerns over corruption in the army.

"A handful of fallen military officers seriously tarnished the image of the army… But if we consider this problem from another perspective, we will realise that it is impossible that the army can entirely avoid being affected by growing social problems," it explains.

However, it assures readers that the army is "executing a military order" to ensure the government's anti-graft effort achieves "the best results" in the army.

The paper also rejects concerns that the military is "interfering with people's daily life".

Earlier in the week, media outlets highlighted air travel disruption in China amid a large-scale military exercise. Many said the delays were caused by the military drill.

"This is a false impression. The truth is that the Chinese army maintains a close and caring relationship with the population and it shows strong self-restraint to not disturb the daily lives of the people," it says.

Xinjiang unrest

Moving on to other news, some media outlets condemn the killing of the imam of China's largest mosque in Xinjiang.

Jume Tahir, 74, was reportedly stabbed after he led early morning prayers at the Id Kah mosque in Kashgar city on Wednesday.

It came two days after dozens of people were reportedly killed or injured in clashes with police in Yarkant county, in the same prefecture.

According to the Xinjiang Daily, police shot dead two "extremists" on Wednesday and arrested a person suspected of being involved in the killing.

The daily's front-page editorial reiterates the "resolute need" to "eliminate the arrogant flame of violent terrorists".

"By choosing to carry out the crimes at this time [during Ramadan], they are trying to create fear," it says.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Global Times' Chinese edition describes the murder of Jume Tahir as a "death-bed struggle" of "violent terrorists".

"Jume Tahir had openly criticised terrorism. And the imams of other mosques in Xinjiang are also doing the same, causing further isolation for the terrorists," the paper notes.

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