On 25 July, the Chinese Embassy in Slovakia held a reception to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. H.E. Ambassador SUN Lijie and Senior Colonel WANG Fei delivered speeches respectively at the event. More than 200 people, including officials from the Slovak Government, Military officers from General Staff of Slovak Republic, Defense Attachés and members of the diplomatic corps in Slovakia, representatives of various sectors and Chinese communities in Slovakia, and diplomats of the Chinese Embassy joined the reception.

Ambassador SUN pointed out in his speech that over the past 96 years, the PLA has always adhered to its original aspiration and mission of "ensuring the well-being of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", and under the firm leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, it has made significant contributions to the pursuit of national independence, people's liberation, national prosperity, the defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the maintenance of world peace, and the promotion of human development. 

Ambassador SUN emphasised that China unswervingly walks the path of peaceful development, always upholds an independent peaceful foreign policy, as a responsible great country, always holds high the flag of peace, development, cooperation and mutually beneficial cooperation, resolutely supports the building of a community of shared future for mankind, actively implements the global development initiative, global security initiative and global civilization initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, promotes a new peaceful path based on communication instead of confrontation, partnership instead of alliance, win-win cooperation instead of zero-sum game.

Ambassador SUN noted that this year, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Slovak Republic and China’s recognition of its independence. Speaker of the National Council H.E. Mr. Boris Kollár paid a successful visit to China. The China-Slovakia political consultation at the vice foreign ministerial level went well. In the post-Covid era, bilateral economic, commercial and interpersonal exchanges between our countries are now resuming and accelerating.

Senior Colonel WANG Fei pointed out in his speech that Over the past 96 years, under the firm leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, the PLA has grown from small to large, from weak to strong. It has become an unshakable pillar protecting China's national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and development interests. Entering the New Era, the PLA adheres to Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, consistently implements the military strategy of the New Era, constantly deepens the reform of national defense and military systems, accelerates the integration of mechanized, informatized and intelligent development, continues to deepen international military cooperation, and constantly improves its ability to win. The building of the modern armed forces system with Chinese characteristics has achived historical achivements and the PLA’s ability to undertake various kinds of military tasks and cope with various kinds of security threats has been strengthened.

Senior Colonel WANG Fei emphasised that China unswervingly pursues a defensive national defense policy, the PLA has always been the Great Steel Wall that protects China's national sovereignty, security and development interests, and is also a peacekeeping army that maintains world peace, prosperity, equality and justice. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has conscientiously fulfilled its international obligations for many years, actively supports and participates in peacekeeping, escort, international humanitarian and disaster relief operations under the framework of the UN, and makes significant contributions to the maintenance of world peace and development.

Senior Colonel WANG Fei noted that the PLA has always attached great importance to the development of relations with the armed forces of the Slovak Republic and is willing to cooperate with the Slovak army in further exploring the potential of cooperation, expanding the areas of cooperation and promoting friendly cooperation in multi levels.

There was Theme Exhibition about development of the China’s national defense and the armed fSorces in the New Era in the reception. Guests from various countries extended warm congratulations on the 96th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. They spoke highly of China's new achievements in national defence and the armed forces and expressed hope to further develop relations with China and expand exchanges and cooperation in the field of defense.