Kigali: The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda held a reception on Friday to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The event was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi, Defense Attache Li Dayi, representatives from both China and Rwanda, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and defense attaches accredited to Rwanda.
According to Ghana News Agency, in his address, Li emphasized China’s commitment to peace, international cooperation, and the vision of building a shared future for mankind. Li stated, “Peace is in the genes of the PLA,” highlighting that the purpose of developing national defense capabilities is to defend national independence, people’s well-being, and world peace, rather than seeking hegemony or expansion.
The event also marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Li called for global unity in preserving peace and opposing hegemonism and power politics. He described this victory as a triumph of justice over evil, brightness over darkness, and progressives over reactionaries, emphasizing the importance of learning from history and upholding a UN-centered international system based on international law.
Alex Kagame, chief of staff of the Rwanda Reserve Force, extended warm congratulations to the PLA on its anniversary, commending its legacy of courage, resilience, and dedication to national sovereignty. Founded on August 1, 1927, the PLA has been China’s principal military force, safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and contributing to international peace.
Since 1990, China has participated in 25 United Nations peacekeeping operations, deploying over 50,000 personnel, the largest contribution among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.