On July 31, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia held a reception to celebrate the 96th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. About 300 people, including Zambian Defence Minister Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma, Army Commander Dennis Sitali Alibuzwi, Air Force Commander Colin Barry, National Service Corps Deputy Commander Reuben Mwewa, Police Deputy Inspector General Alita Mbahwe, Police Deputy Inspector General Milner Muyambango, Foreign Military Attachés, Diplomats of Chinese embassy, Chinese nationals from different institutions and companies based in Zambia, and experts of Chinese Medical Teams, attended the event.

Chinese Ambassador Du Xiaohui delivered a speech at the reception, reviewing the indelible historical feats made by the PLA under the leadership of the Communist Party of China over the past 96 years, emphasizing that China has always been committed to promote world peace and development with practical actions, and taking the path of peaceful development is a distinctive feature and inevitable choice of Chinese Modernization. Ambassador Du pointed out that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at faster pace, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping aim to build extensive consensus and pool strength, implement the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind with practical actions, and add more positive energy to the cause of human peace and development. China is ready to join hands with other countries on the road to modernization and provide new opportunities for world stability and prosperity.

Senior Colonel Jiang Lei, the Defence Attaché spoke in his speech that the strength of the Chinese military is the strength of the world’s peace force. No matter how the international situation changes, China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. As China’s national strength continues to grow, the Chinese military will make new and greater contributions to the country’s fulfillment of its international obligations and the maintenance of world peace and development. The PLA is ready to carry out more effective defence and security cooperation with Zambian Defence Force, and strengthen the bilateral military relationship to a higher level.

Zambian Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma expressed his deep gratitude to China for its long-term support to Zambia’s defence construction, spoke highly of China’s important role in maintaining international peace and regional stability. The Minister wished China prosperity, and the cooperation between the two countries and the two militaries in various fields fruitful and have more achievements.

The reception was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the broadcast of videos reflecting China’s achievements in national defence construction, implementation of Global Security Initiative, and maintenance of world peace aroused positive responses. The guests expressed their appreciation for the development achievements of the PLA and the contribution of the Chinese military to maintaining world peace and stability, and wished the friendship between China and Zambia last forever.