SHANGHAI: Chinese President Xi Jinping called this week for troops to strengthen their preparedness for war, state media reported on Saturday, just days after Beijing staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan.

Xi made his comments while visiting a brigade of the People`s Liberation Army Rocket Force on Thursday, according to state-run broadcaster CCTV.

Xi said the military should `comprehensively strengthen training and preparation for war, (and) ensure troops have solid combat capabilities`, CCTVreported.

Soldiers must `enhance their strategic deterrent and combat capability,` Xi said.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped up its shows of force around the self-ruled island in recent years.On Monday, Beijing had deployed fighter jets, drones, warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan its fourth round of large-scale war games around the democratic island in just over two years.

China`s communist leaders have insisted they will not rule out using force to bring Taiwan under Beijing`s control.

Xi on Thursday said the Chinese military must `strongly safeguard the country`s strategic security and core interests`, according to the CCTVreport.

The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to a civil war in which the nationalist forces of Chiang Kaishek were defeated by Mao Zedong`s communist fighters and fled to the island in 1949.

China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since then.-AFP