On July 15th, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan hosted a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The reception brought together about 400 guests, including more than 20 generals of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Federal Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, and Secretary of Defence of Pakistan, Defense/Military Attachés as well as some staff of Chinese institutions and overseas Chinese in Pakistan. The Chinese Chargé d’affaires H.E. Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, together with other diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, attended the celebration.

Major General Wang Zhong, the Chinese Defence Attaché, addressed the reception. He stated that the PLA was weak and small at its founding days but finally defeated all its enemies which were more stronger and bigger, due to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the wholehearted support of the Chinese People. The great victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression 80 years ago contributed significantly to the victory of the World anti-Fascist War. This great victory made China recover its lost territory, including Taiwan, and opened up bright prospects of the great renewal of the Chinese nation. With the victory of the World anti-Fascist War, the founding of the United Nations provide the cornerstone for the post-war world order. Nowadays many Chinese and Pakistani soldiers in blue-helmet are serving for world peace shoulder by shoulder in various UN peacekeeping missions and playing an active role in maintaining world peace and development. The military-to-military relations serve as the mainstay of China-Pakistan friendship. The strong strategic support and high-level defence collaboration between each other play a very important role for world peace and stability, and will make greater contribution to building a community of shared future for mankind.

General Sahir highly commended the PLA’s pivotal role for China’s remarkable development and rapid modernisation, which has transformed China into a key pillar of world peace, stability and prosperity. He highlighted the Iron-clad brotherhood between Pakistan and China, with shared resolve to broaden and deepen this unique relationship. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment towards security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and advancing collaboration on CPEC, strengthening bilateral defence ties and promoting regional harmony and development.

The guests spoke highly of China’s great achievements in national defense and military building, looking forward to more fruits in the relations between the two countries and the two militaries.