BEIJING, July 28 -- A grand gala was held in Beijing on Friday evening in celebration of the 90th birthday of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, state president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other senior leaders Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli joined about 3,000 people to watch the gala at the Great Hall of the People.

Aug. 1 this year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese armed forces.

Through singing, dancing and chorus, the gala depicted the history of the PLA, from a small and vulnerable army to a large and strong military force.

The performance showed solid achievements of the PLA on its path to a strong army under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core since the 18th CPC National Congress.

The gala also demonstrated the determination of the PLA to become a world-class army, for the realization of the country's "two centenary goals" and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

Shortly before the show began, Xi and other senior leaders met with representatives of veterans, retired comrades and military officers honored with the Order of Bayi, the country's highest military award.