To celebrate the 87th anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhang Baoqun, Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Macedonia, hosted a reception in Hotel Aleksandar Palace on 31st July, 2014. Also present at the reception were H. E. Ambassador Wen Zhenshun and other diplomats of the Embassy.

 

 

Minister of Defense Mr. Zoran Jolevski and his wife, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski, Deputy CHOD Lieutenant General Sejdini, Chairperson of the Committee on Culture and Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Assembly of RM and PRC MP Mrs. Silvana Boneva and other distinguished guests attended the reception. In total, more than 200 guests from the Ministry of Defense, Macedonian Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy as well as Defense Attaché Association joined the celebration.

 

In his speech, Sr. Col. Zhang briefly recalled the development of the PLA in the past 87 years, with a focus on the Chinese army's sacred duties such as safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting state economic construction, conducting regional military exchanges, and participating international peace keeping operations. He spoke highly of the friendly relationship between the two armies, emphasizing that China will adhere to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. He noted that, together with the armed forces of the other countries such as the ARM, the PLA will continue to contribute to the maintenance of regional and world peace.

 

 

The guests sent their congratulations for the great achievements of the PLA in the process of modernization and its contribution to world peace. With a multimedia presentation of short movie and photos, the DA Office introduced the PLA in its diversified military operations. The guests were also interested in the booklets on the Chinese military culture. The military band of the ARM was invited to perform on the occasion. Starting with the national anthems of the Republic of Macedonia and the PRC, the band played three military songs respectively from the PLA Army, Navy and Air Force. Amazed by the artists' performance, the entire audience warmly applauded time and again. The whole celebration successfully ended in a joyful and pleasant atmosphere.