Honorable Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
Honorable Chairman Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, Bases Conversion and Development Authority，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Good evening! Welcome to the reception for celebrating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Looking back on the glorious course of the past 96 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the PLA has established monumental achievements for the independence, liberation, and prosperity of the Chinese people and the country, provided robust support for the defense of China's sovereignty, security, and development, and made important contributions to peace in the world and shared development of humanity.
China has always adhered to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, upheld peaceful development and win-win cooperation in her diplomacy, and actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Since Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), the initiatives have served as China’s solution to advancing peace and development in the world and promoting human progress. China has all along adhered to the national defense policy of active defense and a holistic approach to national security. China advocates promoting cooperation through dialogue, promoting peace through cooperation and handling differences and disputes with peaceful means.
The PLA has consistently and actively participated in the United Nations peacekeeping and escort missions at the Gulf of Aden, and international cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, performing the international duty that is required of the military of a major country. The PLA has been a staunch force safeguarding world peace. The PLA is a peace-loving and peace-preserving army. The development and growth of the PLA is tantamount to development and growth of the forces of peace in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends.
The people of China and the people of the Philippines have a long history of friendly exchanges. In recent years, with the joint efforts of the two sides, China and the Philippines have established the Relationship of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation. We worked jointly to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, bringing great benefits to the peoples of both countries. This situation is hard-won and deserves to be cherished by both sides. Earlier this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid a successful visit to China. The heads-of-state of our two countries have reached important consensus on further deepening our cooperation in various fields by prioritizing to the four key areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchanges. The two top leaders have also reached consensus on properly handling the maritime issues through friendly consultations. As long as the consensus between our top leaders is implemented in real earnest, we will be able to see new progress in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Under the strategic guidance of our top leaders, our friendly and cooperative mil-to-mil relations have made steady progress. There have been high-level exchanges in the defense sector, deepening cooperation in education and training, and smooth implementation of military assistance by our side to the AFP. Not long ago, Chinese navy training ship Qi Jiguang paid a successful visit to the Philippines, enhancing the understanding and friendship between the two navies. During this visit, officers and soldiers onboard Qi Jiguang donated their daily supplies to the citizens affected by the Mayon Volcano unrest, demonstrating the goodwill of the PLA to the people of the Philippines.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends.
At present, the international and regional situation is intricate and complex with various risks and challenges emerging. As important countries in the region, we must keep abreast with the changing times, avoid Cold-War mentality and “bloc” confrontation, resist external interference and jointly safeguard the regional peace dividend. China is willing to work with the Philippines to adhere to independence and good neighborliness, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, properly manage differences through consultation and dialogue, and ensure China-Philippines relations remain healthy and move steadily into the future, so as to write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
I would like to propose a toast to the celebration of the 96th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, to the friendship between the two Armed Forces, and to the peaceful development and common prosperity of the region and the world. Cheers!