Chinese authorities have ordered a publicity campaign ahead of the 89th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army on August 1.

This year also marks the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March, a 12,500-km forced expedition that made history.

To commemorate these events, publicity bodies should employ newspapers, television, broadcast and Internet media to encourage patriotism and motivate the military and public to help build a strong armed forces and nation, according to a circular jointly released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Central Military Commission Political Work Department.

They should organize education activities such as lectures on Party history, visits to revolutionary sites and exhibitions, the circular said.

It also asked officials to visit servicemen around the anniversary, and to help with the employment of soldiers decommissioned amid the ongoing military reform.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2016)