Ambassador Liu, Major General Su and Air Vice Marshal Warren James (middle) cut the cake to celebrate the PLA's anniversary

On July 26, H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and Madam Hu Pinghua, Major General Su Guanghui, Defense Attaché of the Embassy and his wife hosted a reception at the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). About 300 people were present, including Air Vice Marshal Warren James, Brigadier General Stephen McMahon, Head of International Policy and Planning (IPP), MoD, Brigadier General Simon Levey, Head of Foreign Liaison Staff (FLS), MoD, guests from British Government, Parliament and various sectors as well as the ambassadors and defense attachés of the London diplomatic corps, and representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese institutions and students in the UK.

Ambassador Liu delivers a speech

Ambassador Liu delivered a speech entitled Safeguard Peace and Promote Development. He noted that in nearly a century since the founding of the PLA, mankind fought decisive battles between justice and evil, and between light and darkness. The lesson of history is clear, i.e., the hard-won peace needs to be valued and must be safeguarded. Since its founding, the PLA has lived up to its mission of devoting wholeheartedly to serving the people, forging ahead relentlessly, growing from strength to strength, making important contribution to the independence of the Chinese nation, and doing its very best for world peace and security. In the past 91 years, the PLA has been the protector of the Chinese people, a defender of world peace and an implementer of the new security concept.

The Ambassador pointed out that currently the leaders of China and the UK have agreed to build a more strategic, practical, global and inclusive bilateral relationship. He said, "Military-to-military relationship is an important part of China-UK relationship. In recent years, our two militaries have seen more active exchanges and cooperation than ever."

"President Xi Jinping said that we should have the right historical perspective. What he means is that we should review the past, draw lessons from history and grasp the historical trend."

Ambassador Liu expressed the hope that China and the UK, and the militaries of the two countries will keep in mind the big picture of world peace and development to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and safeguard peace so as to contribute to creating a better world with a community of shared future for mankind, lasting peace and universal security.

Major General Su delivers a speech

In his speech, Major General Su said, "Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought of building a strong military, the PLA actively implements the military strategic guideline in the new situation so as to modernize our military in terms of theory, organizational structure, service personnel, and weaponry. By 2035, modernization of national defence and forces will be basically completed. By the mid 21st century, the PLA will be fully transformed into world-class forces."

He noted that the PLA dutifully practices the new security concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security proposed by President Xi Jinping and actively participates in international peacekeeping, counter-terrorism exercises, counter-piracy escort missions and humanitarian assistance. These activities have projected China's image as a responsible major country. Chinese armed forces have manifested through actions that China's defence and military development do not target, threaten or challenge any other country and will always be a resolute force safeguarding world peace and stability. Recent years have witnessed the stable development of the military-to-military relations with deepening mutual understanding, expanding exchanges and enhancing mutual trust between the two countries. Looking ahead, the PLA is willing to work together with the UK counterparts to implement the consensus reached by both leaders of the two countries in the military domain so as to bring the military-to-military relations to a higher level and make new contribution to the China-UK "Golden Era".

Air Vice Marshal Warren James delivers a speech

Air Vice Marshal Warren James, the UK guest of honour made a speech on behalf of the British military. He extended his congratulations on the 91st anniversary of the PLA, saying that in recent years, militaries of China and the UK had exchanges and cooperation in various fields, achieving positive results in maintaining world peace and stability. He is convinced that China-UK military-to-military relations will maintain sound development in the future.

Ambassador Liu and Major General Su talk with Brigadier General Simon Levey (left)

Amid the solemn, warm and congenial atmosphere, the guests extended their congratulations on China's 91st anniversary of the PLA, speaking highly of China's new achievements on national defence and the armed forces and China's contribution to international peacekeeping, counter-piracy escort missions and humanitarian assistance. A video entitled Today's Chinese People's Liberation Army of 2018 was screened, a photo exhibition to demonstrate the achievements of the PLA was displayed, and books about China's national defence and foreign policy were offered to the guests.

Ambassador Liu talks with Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times

Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, General Sir Christopher Deverell, Commander of the Joint Forces Command, Air Marshal Philip Osborn, Chief of Defence Intelligence, and Maj Gen Mitch Mitchell, Director General of DCDC,MoD, sent congratulatory letters to the Defence Section of the Chinese Embassy respectively, expressing their readiness to strengthen the military-to-military exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK.

Ambassador Liu talks with Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Chairman of the Conservative Friends of the Chinese