CANBERRA, July 30 (ChinaMil) -- Senior Colonel Wang Jingguo, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, hosted a reception celebrating the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Australia, on Monday.
More than 300 people attended the event including Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye, all the embassy diplomats, Australia’s Chief of the Defense Force General Angus Campbell, Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense Greg Moriarty, and representatives of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Australia, overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Australia.
Wang made a speech at the reception and spoke highly of the mil-to-mil exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia. He pointed out that this year the two sides will hold joint military exercises and training, have talks on defense strategy, and conduct personnel exchange and training.
These activities, he believed, will promote mutual understanding and trust between the Chinese and Australian militaries so as to boost the mil-to-mil relationship between the two countries.
Wang reviewed the extraordinary history of the PLA covering the past 91 years, particularly its contributions to defending national sovereignty, security and interests. He elaborated China’s defensive national defense policies and its goal to strengthen the military in the new era, and briefed on the progress made in national defense as well as the military reform since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
He also talked about the PLA’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, escort missions and other international humanitarian relief missions at his speech.
Wang stressed that China will stick to the path of peaceful development and call on the people of all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
He noted that countries should, based on mutual respect and equal negotiations, abandon the Cold War mentality and power politics, and resolve disputes through dialogue and address divergences via negotiations, so as to achieve universal and common security.
On behalf of the Australian Defense Force, General Campbell sent congratulations on the 91st anniversary of the founding of the PLA. He praised the PLA’s professional qualities and the achievements made in the reform, expressed his great respect for the PLA’s efforts in peacekeeping, escorting and humanitarian aid, and shared his hope for further exchanges and cooperation between the Australian and Chinese militaries.
