A senior military officer has called for improved military training with a focus on real combat scenarios to sharpen the army's fighting capability.

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during a recent inspection tour in Gansu, Xinjiang and Ningxia, which are all in northwest China, according to military sources on Monday.

Training standards should be strict and challenging, Fan said, noting that problems uncovered in previous training exercises should be addressed.

He also said construction of large training bases should be included in the army's long-term plans.

Soldiers and officers were told to carefully study instructions by President and CMC chairman Xi Jinping.

"The army should be prepared for the possibility of combat. They should be on high alert," he said.

He also stressed that troops should be disciplined in line with law to boost the morale of the servicemen.