Monrovia – The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People Republic of China on Monday celebrated its 89th year of existence.
Senior Captain Zhang Fenghua said the PLA, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, has made great sacrifices to strive for China’s independence and liberation and the cause of the socialist modernization.
“I’d like to extend my warm welcome to you for attending the reception tonight to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA),” Fenghua said.
“In recent years, according to President Xi Jinping’s request of ‘faithfully follow the party’s commands, be able to win and exemplary in conduct,’ PLA closely centers around the goal of building a strong military, vigorously intensifies its troops’ overall construction and military preparedness, strengthens the joint employment of different services and arms, and enhances war fighting capabilities”, Fenghua indicated.
The senior captain added that 2016 is an historic year for the PLA, saying they have begun to fully implement the strategy of reform and building a strong military, taking series of measures to deepen defense and military reform.
“The China’s Armed Forces’ capacity will be further improved in terms of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, maritime rights and interests and development benefits,” Captain Fenghua said.
He said China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.
The Chinaman said his country’s armed forces have always been a staunch force upholding world peace and regional stability and will continue to increase cooperation and mutual trust with the armed forces of other countries, participate in regional and international security affairs, and play an active role in international political and security fields.
“China’s security and development is closely related to the peace and prosperity of the world. China earnestly fulfills its international responsibilities and obligations, and supports and actively participates in U.N. peacekeeping missions, and has become a great force of good for world peace,” the captain said.
“Since China joined the United Nations peacekeeping operations in 1990, it has dispatched over 30,000 military personnel to 24 UN peacekeeping missions”, he said.
He added that in the past decade, peacekeeping troops, FPU staff officers, military observers and civilian police units dispatched by China to the peacekeeping mission area of Liberia are well trained, professionally competent and highly disciplined.
Liberia’s Defense Minister Brownie Samukai added that PLA is playing a pivotal role in maintaining world peace.
“Today, the PLA is contributing to the maintenance of global peace and security thru United Nations Missions in South Sudan, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Sudan and our own country, Liberia,” Samukai said.
“The role, performances and achievements of the Chinese contingent in UNMIL in Liberia are recognized by the very positive impact their deployment have had in their areas of responsibilities.”
The Defense Minister thanked the Chinese contingent in Liberia for their wonderful work and wished them the very best. He extended Liberia’s deepest condolence to people of China.
“Sadly, and in very recent times, some members of the Chinese contingents in Mali and South Sudan have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the United Nations flag. We extend our deepest condolences.”