BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed solid efforts to better serve and support ex-service personnel before the country celebrates its Army Day.

This year's Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1, marks the 97th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

In an instruction on veterans affairs, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, described ex-service personnel as "a precious treasure" of the Party and the country.

He said veterans affairs played an important role in strengthening and revitalizing the armed forces. He also called for carrying out further reforms to better serve ex-service personnel and protect their rights and interests.

Xi emphasized the importance of making military service an honorable occupation and ensuring that ex-service personnel enjoy respect from the whole society.

Xi expressed the hope that veterans will always retain the fine traditions of service personnel and make new and greater contributions to building a great country through Chinese modernization.

State Councilor Shen Yiqin read out Xi's instruction at a national conference on veterans affairs on Monday, which honored 397 exemplary members of the ex-service personnel, along with 100 model units and 80 outstanding individuals dedicated to veterans affairs.