Chinese President Xi Jinping is urging the country's armed forces to beef up their strategic capabilities in emerging domains, such as maritime preparedness, aerospace and cyberspace.

State-run China Central Television reports that Xi attended a meeting of a delegation of the military and armed police during the National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday.

CCTV says Xi called on the armed forces to advance reform and promote innovation to comprehensively enhance their strategic capabilities in emerging areas.

It says Xi is urging efforts to coordinate maritime military preparedness, maritime rights and interests protection, and marine economy development. He is believed to have made the remarks with the East and South China seas in mind.

The media outlet says Xi also called for a cyberspace defense system to be built to better safeguard national online networks.

China has been adopting artificial intelligence and other new technologies to reinforce its military capabilities in the lead-up to 2027, when it will mark the centenary of the People's Liberation Army.