BEIJING — China’s top leaders gathered with servicemen and members of the public on Feb 11 at a Spring Festival event to celebrate unity between the government, military and the public.

President Xi Jinping and other leaders including Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli were present along with representatives of local government, the military and armed police, and Beijing residents.

Chinese ideology urges the army to support the government and cherish the people, and the government to support the army and give preferential treatment to the families of servicemen.

This year’s Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, falls on Feb 19.