To celebrate this year’s 98th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Chinese embassy held a reception at their head offices in Pretoria.

The gathering was attended by members from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as well as other military personnel from various countries.

Speaking at the event on Friday, Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng, said over the past 98 years and under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has emerged from trials and tribulations and made an outstanding contribution to the liberation of the Chinese people.

He said the PLA has made tremendous contributions to China’s peaceful construction in safeguarding national sovereignty as well as security and development interests. 

Furthermore, he added that the Chinese military consistently serves as a resolute force in maintaining world peace and stability.

“China firmly pursues peaceful development and exercises a national defence policy that is defensive in nature. The Chinese military actively fulfills our national responsibilities and obligations, extensively participates in national peace keeping counter-terrorism, maritime escort mission, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations,” he added.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world’s second largest economy, he said China is committed to promoting multilateralism with the international community, as well as upholding international fairness and justice, and building a world of lasting peace and universal security.

As BRICS members, ambassador Peng said China will continue working with South Africa to consolidate mutual political trust and firmly support each other by expanding exchanges at all levels.

“This also includes deepening practical cooperation in various fields, and promoting greater development in bilateral and military relations, so as to make new and greater contributions to world peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Meanwhile, on the military side, the ambassador said the PLA and the SANDF continue to enjoy constant exchanges at all levels.

“Practical cooperation between the two militaries achieved remarkable results, giving strong support to development of bilateral ties. China and South Africa enjoy time-honoured and ever-growing friendship and partnership. We also share the same aspirations and work to achieve mutual benefit. Our exchanges and cooperation in various fields continue to expand, which benefits the people of both countries,” he said.

Speaking for the SANDF, Defence Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa said since it was established in August 1972, the PLA has grown into one of the world’s most modern and capable armed forces, grounded in discipline, innovation, and the spirit of national service.

He said the PLA’s journey has been marked the beginning of a journey characterised by resilience, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and development of China.

Moreover, he said South Africa and China are bound by a history of shared struggle and solidarity.

“We deeply value the support China provided during South Africa’s liberation movement, and the principled friendship it has maintained in the years since. The legacy of this solidarity was captured in the words of our founding father, Nelson Mandela, who described China as a steadfast partner in the fight against apartheid.

“He believed that the bonds of brotherhood forged in struggle must become the foundation for partnerships in peace and development. Today, we carry that vision forward in our cooperation across all sectors, including defence.

“Defence cooperation between our countries has grown steadily and meaningfully. Joint military training exercises, high-level visits, capacity building, and knowledge exchange are tangible demonstrations of our strategic partnership,” said Holomisa.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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