On July 31st, the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda held a reception to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). H.E. Wang Xuekun, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Senior Captain (Navy) Li Dayi, Chinese Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Maj. Gen. Jean Baptiste Ngiruwonsanga, Commandant of the General Headquarters of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), attended the occasion. More than 200 people participated, including representatives of the Rwandan Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rwanda Defence Forces, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Defence Attachés accredited to Rwanda, and Rwandan friends from all walks of life, as well as Chinese compatriots in Rwanda.
Amb. Wang Xuekun congratulated the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and said that the construction and development of the PLA is among China's great development achievements. China will continue to fully implement the overall national security concept and thoroughly implement the strategy of reforming and strengthening the military. The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century; China will remain as a staunch defender of world peace and stability. He sincerely hopes that China-Rwanda defence exchanges and cooperation will achieve more results and further strengthen the bond of friendship. Amb. Wang Xuekun also explained the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, emphasizing that China will further comprehensively deepen reforms and promote Chinese-style modernization, advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and continue toopen its market wider to the world’s least developed countries.
In his speech, Senior Captain (Navy) Li Dayi said that over the past 97 years, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has made great contributions to the liberation and happiness of the Chinese people and to the independence and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, the PLA has kept pace with the development of the cause of CPC and the Chinese people, and is striving to fulfill the Goals for the Centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027. Serving the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the PLA faithfully follows the Global Security Initiative, resolutely safeguards China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests, and continues to contribute to promoting regional and global peace and security. The militaries of China and Rwanda respect each other, learn from each other’s experiences, carry out a series of fruitful cooperation and have developed deep mutual trust. China will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and promote China-Rwanda friendship.
Maj. Gen. Jean Baptiste Ngiruwonsanga extended the warm congratulations to the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, highly praised the glorious history of the PLA in fighting for justice, for the rights of the people, and for the people’s better life. He praised PLA’s noble characteristics of perseverance and courage, saying that the two militaries of Rwanda and China enjoy similar values, mutual understanding and respect for each other. Rwanda looks forward to continued cooperation with China to create a peaceful, secure and prosperous future and strive for a world where freedom and dignity are upheld for everyone.
A photo exhibition entitled “Safeguarding Peace in a Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Armed Forces for World Peace” was also held at the reception. Guests expressed their congratulations on the 97th anniversary of the founding of the PLA and praised the great achievements of China's national defence and military build-up, also China’s important contributions to maintaining world peace and stability.