BEIJING - Vice premier Zhang Gaoli on Friday called for army staff and the people to come closer together and pool more strength to advance national defense and economic development.

Zhang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a tea party gathering both military staff and common citizens.

Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping (1st L), Li Keqiang (2nd L), Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli meet with representatives prior to a tea party gathering both military staff and common citizens, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 24, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and senior Party leader Liu Yunshan attended the event.

Before the party, Xi also met with people selected for having played an exemplary role in caring for others and supporting the government and army.

Zhang said the army and the people have fought side by side in the past year in disasters such as the Lushan earthquake in Sichuan and floods in northeast China.

The remarkable achievements made in space and ocean exploration last year, including the landing of Chang'e-3 on the moon and the deep-sea diving of the Jiaolong submersible, were also the results of sound collaboration between the military and the people, according to Zhang.

He promised to let more army staff and their families benefit from China's reform and development.