The Ministry of National Defense hosted a reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday afternoon to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

Admiral Dong Jun, China's minister of national defense, attended the event and delivered a speech.

In his address, Dong extended festive greetings to PLA service members, armed police officers, civilian military employees, reservists and militia members. He also paid tribute to retired military personnel and the families of fallen soldiers.

The minister noted that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March, and a crucial year for achieving the centenary goals of the Chinese military.

Dong said that, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the military fully implements Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and remains accountable exclusively to the chairman of the Central Military Commission.

He said the military will rally closely around the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core, advance military modernization with high quality, strengthen combat capabilities, consolidate military-civilian unity, safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly oppose Taiwan separatism and foreign military interference.

Dong said the Chinese military stands ready to work with all justice-loving forces around the world to safeguard regional and global peace and stability and address transnational security risks.