On the evening of July 29, 2022, Ms. Guo Min, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Senior Colonel Wang Lei, Defense Attaché, held a reception at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baku, in a celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Nearly 140 people including top generals and powerful department officials of Azerbaijan, diplomatic missions and Defense Attachés in Azerbaijan, and news media representatives attended the reception.
As Defense Attaché Wang Lei expressed in his speech, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has made tremendous contributions to national survival, national independence, people’s liberation, regional stability, and world peace through heroic fights and legendary combat successes over the past 95 years. It serves as a “Steel Great Wall” that defends the national sovereignty, security, and development interests of China, and is an indispensable force for maintaining peace and stability both across the world and in local regions alike. The Chinese nation has always cherished peace since ancient times. Therefore, China adheres to the path of peaceful development and unswervingly pursues a national defense policy of active defense that never seeks hegemony, expansion, any sphere of influence, or any form of blocs or confrontation, all of which stand out as distinctive features of China’s national defense strategy in the new era.
Wang Lei pointed out that the PLA is steadfastly committed to advancing the great cause of building and rejuvenating a powerful military and defending the national interests of China resolutely. It has confidence, determination, and capability, and is always prepared for the risks and challenges ahead. The PLA faithfully abides by the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, effectively fulfills the international responsibilities of the military of a major country, pushes forward international military cooperation in the new era, and makes continued efforts to enhance mutual trust and benefit between the militaries of various countries. The PLA participates in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations proactively and has become the largest troop-contributing country among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. By taking the initiative in assignments and operations such as international open seas escort, disaster relief, combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, and humanitarian assistance, it has made significant contributions to the maintaining of world peace.
According to Wang Lei, the friendship between China and Azerbaijan can be traced back to as early as over 2000 years ago, as evidenced by the close human bonds linked by the ancient Silk Road. China is one of the first countries that recognized Azerbaijan’s independence. Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan, smooth progress has been achieved in friendly relations and practical cooperation between the Chinese and Azerbaijani militaries under the guidance and leadership of the heads of state and the supreme commanders of the armed forces of the two sides, paralleled with ever-increasing cooperation in international and regional affairs.
Attaché Wang Lei also stressed that under the strategic guidance and leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ilham Aliyev and with the joint efforts of the Chinese and Azerbaijani militaries, more fruitful achievements will be gained in high-level dialogue, strategic negotiation, and practical cooperation between the Chinese and Azerbaijani militaries, with their mutual relations ascending to a new level and witnessing a new stage. Further deepening the friendly and cooperative relations between the Chinese and Azerbaijani militaries is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries, will certainly bring benefits to both the Chinese and Azerbaijani people, and will be conducive to peace, stability, prosperity, and development both throughout the world and locally.
The reception was carried out in a grand, warm, and friendly atmosphere. The guests expressed their congratulations on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. They also expressed their admiration for the great achievements that China has gained in its reform and development and the great progress in China’s modernization of national defense and military. They spoke highly of the great contributions that China has made in international peacekeeping, international open seas escort, disaster relief, combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, and humanitarian assistance. In addition, they sincerely wished for greater success in China’s national defense and military construction.
The Photo Exhibition in Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was held at the reception, which was highly appreciated by the guests.