On July 26th, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa held the reception celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Mr. Li Song, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Senior officers from South African government and army, military attachés of diplomatic missions in South Africa, as well as over 300 guests from various sectors and representatives of local Chinese community attended the reception.

The reception began with the national anthems of China and South Africa. In his remarks, military attaché of the Chinese Embassy Colonel Wang Zhong pointed out that the PLA is conducting its national defence and military reform guided by the concept of building a strong armed force under the new circumstances. He said, the growth of Chinese military also means the growth of the force to maintain world peace. China has always insisted on the path of peaceful development, and pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defence policy that is defensive in nature. China will always implement the idea of mutual security, comprehensive security, cooperative security and sustainable security. China is willing to provide more public security products to the international community, such as the United Nations peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, naval escort and international humanitarian relief. As a comprehensive strategic partner of South Africa, China is committed to push forward full-range bilateral cooperation including military exchange.

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