Ambassador CUI Tiankai:Cooperation on the Basis of Mutual Respect and Mutual Benefit
Should Remain the Defining Feature of China-U.S. Relations and the Only Right Option for Both Countries
- Chinese Embassy in the United States Held the Armed Forces Day Reception

2017/07/28

In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Major General ZHANG Yijun, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, and his spouse held a reception in Washington, DC on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Ambassador CUI Tiankai and other senior diplomats of the Embassy joined the celebration. Major General Charles W. HOOPER, Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff, Brigadier General Bobby SHEA, Performing Duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Brigadier General Chad E. MANSKE, Commandant of the National War College, as well as over 500 guests from all services of the US military, government officials, foreign diplomats and military attachés, representatives from overseas Chinese community and various Chinese institutions, attended the reception.

In his remarks, Ambassador CUI Tiankai extended his congratulations to the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. He stressed that on the journey to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China is committed to the path of peaceful development and continues to pursue the national defense policy that is defensive in nature. China is building national defense forces that are commensurate with China's international standing and in line with China's security and development interests. The PLA has the resolve, confidence, and capability to stand up to all threats and challenges. It stays steadfast in defending China's sovereign, security and development interest. The PLA will also take greater international responsibilities in UN peacekeeping missions, maritime convoy missions, emergency and disaster relief efforts, and so on, thus contribute to world peace and development.

Ambassador CUI also pointed out that the world today is still undergoing profound changes. Yet however the change might be, cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit should remain the defining feature of China-U.S. Relations and the only right option for both countries. President XI Jinping and President Donald TRUMP have pointed the way forward for China-US relations with their successful meetings in Mar-a-Lago, Florida in April this year and in Hamburg, Germany during the G20 summit earlier this month. Following the guidance of the two presidents, the two sides are now making new progress and injecting fresh impetus into their cooperation in various areas through deepened dialogues and coordination. Mil-to-mil relations should be an important stabilizing factor in the overall China-US relations. Later this year, President TRUMP will pay a state visit to China upon President XI's invitation. China stands ready to make joint efforts with the US side to strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation in various areas, properly manage differences and sensitive issues, and deliver more consensus and outcomes through cooperation. These efforts aim at opening up broader prospects for China-US relations, thus bringing more benefits to the peoples of both countries and the whole world.

Major General ZHANG Yijun, in his remarks, gave a brief review of the glorious history of the PLA since it was founded 90 years ago and introduced the latest development of the reforms and restructure of the Chinese military and the PLA. He stressed that the PLA is ready to promote cooperation at various levels, properly manage differences and build trust with its US counterpart. He also expressed his confidence that there would be a brighter future for the mil-to-mil relations between China and US in the days to come.

A photo exhibition focusing on the glorious development path and great achievements of the Chinese military and PLA was held in the reception. It also highlighted the important progress that was made in recent years on enhancing mil-to-mil exchanges and cooperation in various areas between the two militaries with the guidance of the two heads of state.

The guests congratulated the great achievements of the PLA in the past 90 years, commended China's national defense policy, which is defensive in nature, and China's contribution to international and regional peace and stability. They also offered their best wishes to the healthy and stable development of China-US military relationship. The reception lasted about two hours in a friendly atmosphere.