BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie Friday said the work of border and coastal defense must be enhanced for national interests.

Defending China's sovereignty, territorial security and maritime interests should be a top mission of the country's border and coastal defense work, Liang said at a national meeting on border and coastal defense.

The work of border and coastal defense should also contribute to improved relations with neighboring countries and social and economic development in border areas, he said.

Senior Chinese leaders including President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, Li Changchun and Zhou Yongkang met with delegates and took photo with them before the meeting.

The delegates included representatives of a national committee for border and coastal defense, military regions, border or coastal provinces, and border police authorities