China’s military needs to promote technological innovation as the “key” to its upgrading and modernization, President Xi Jinping told military delegates to the annual meeting of parliament.

Xi is overseeing a sweeping modernization of the country’s armed forces, the largest in the world, including stealth jet, anti-satellite missiles and advanced submarines, seeking to project power far from its shores.

Science and technology innovation is the “key to military upgrading”, Xi told military delegates, state news agency Xinhua said late on Sunday.

“Efforts should be made to provide greater science and technology support for the People’s Liberation Army,” the report paraphrased Xi as saying.

“We must have a greater sense of urgency to push for science and technology innovation and advancement with greater determination and efforts.”

There needs to be improved military and civilian cooperation in training high-quality military personnel, he added.

“Efforts to improve the training system of military personnel should also be strengthened to foster a large number of high-quality military talent.”

Military reforms have proven controversial though, with Xi saying in 2015 that 300,000 people would be cut from the military’s ranks.

There have been protests in recent months by demobilized soldiers complaining of a lack of support.

The military is also reeling from a concerted crackdown on deep-seat corruption, part of Xi’s broader war against graft in China.