The government awarded 45 cities, 143 institutions and 33 individuals for their exemplary efforts in building air-defense facilities at the fifth national conference on people's air defense Thursday.

In an address, State-Councilor and Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan urged cities to increase their fast reactions, damage prevention and emergency rescue in air defense activities. He called for improvements in the quality of air-defense facilities to be made by science and technology.

State-Councilor Hua Jianmin urged local governments to give priority to the air defense, which, he said, is a long-term and important strategic task.

Source: Xinhua