UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations hosted a reception on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, which falls on Aug. 1.
More than 200 Chinese and UN officials, diplomats and representatives from different missions to the UN, including China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun, who was on the first day of taking post, attended the reception.
Over the past 92 years, the PLA has made significant contributions to national independence, liberation of the people and economic development of the country, Hua Bo, head of the Chinese delegation to the UN Military Staff Committee, said in the opening speech.
In the new era, China is advancing defense and military modernization across the board, with a focus on removing institutional barriers and solving structural and policy related problems, to adapt to the transition worldwide in military affairs and the demands of the national security, said Hua.
"Historic strides have been made in strengthening our forces," he said.
China is also committed to developing constructive relations with armed forces of other countries, he said, adding that all-round, wide-range and multi-level military diplomacy relations have been formed, and extensive exchanges and cooperation with foreign armed forces have been conducted.
Guests of the reception praised the positive contributions made by the Chinese military to the UN peacekeeping operations and world peace.
UN Undersecretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare told Xinhua that China has been a staunch supporter of peacekeeping operations, and has dispatched more than 40,000 peacekeeping military personnel so far.
Currently, China deploys more than 2,500 uniformed personnel to seven of the UN peacekeeping missions, including those in South Sudan, Lebanon, and the mostly deadly Mali, according to Khare.
Hua said that China has already established a peacekeeping standby force of 8,000 troops, and the Chinese military has provided training courses for the UN and national peacekeepers.
China responded positively to the Action for Peacekeeping initiative launched by the UN secretary-general, and supported the Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operation, he added. "The Chinese military is ready to make new contributions to the UN peacekeeping and world peace and security."
