China compares military might to West's

The commander of China's army says Beijing possesses sophisticated arsenals comparable to the West's weapons systems.

"This is an extraordinary achievement that speaks to the level of our military's modernization and the huge change in our country's technological strength," Liang Guanglie, the country' defense minister, was quoted by the ministry's website as saying.

On the Monday interview, the top Chinese military official said many of the weapons systems match or were close to matching the capabilities of their counterparts in the West.

He noted that the J-10 fighter jet, latest-generation tanks, navy destroyers and cruise and intercontinental ballistic missiles are among the biggest military achievements in the country.

The 2.3 million-member strong People's Liberation Army, the world's largest standing military, moves for complete modernization by 2020, he added.

Liang's comments come ahead of China's biggest military parade in a decade, which is expected to show off an army with brand new capabilities.

The military display will parade through Beijing on October 1 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.