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Addressing Security Challenges and Bringing Forward China-EU Relations Hand in Hand
Celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army
2022-07-28 11:50

The Schuman Declaration states that “world peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.” Right now, amid drastic changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, our world is far from being peaceful and tranquil, facing increasingly diverse global security threats such as terrorism, climate change, cyber security and biological security. Regional security hot spots keep flaring up and the European security issue receives worldwide attention. Battered and bruised by unilateralism, hegemony, and power politics, peace must be defended by all of us.

Deeply concerned about a world full of uncertainties and challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping has creatively put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and recently proposed the Global Security Initiative, which has pointed the way out of global security predicament. As a staunch force for a community with a shared future for mankind, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) always stands its ground in safeguarding regional and world peace. China is the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, sending over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions, with 2,240 officers and soldiers currently serving in 7 mission areas and the UN headquarters. In the Gulf of Aden, the CPLA Navy escort task-forces have completed more than 1,500 escorts for over 7,000 ships from many countries. In the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, the Chinese military has provided vaccines and other assistance to the armed forces of more than 30 countries. CPLA Air Force aircraft and Navy vessels delivered over 1,000 tons of relief supplies to the South Pacific nation of Tonga which was hit by a powerful tsunami triggered by the eruption of a massive underwater volcano in January 2022. All these have delivered a vivid illustration of living up to China’s responsibility as a major country.

As a force of the people, a force of valour and a force for peace, the CPLA celebrated the 95th anniversary of its founding on August 1st, 2022. Over the past 95 years, founded and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPLA has fought courageously for the Chinese people, winning glorious victories one after another. In the revolutionary and wartime era, this army distinguished itself fighting for national independence and people’s liberation, resisting aggression and protecting the motherland. Generation after generation of servicemen and women have made heroic sacrifice and remarkable achievements. In times of peace, wherever help is needed, this army will be there. From patrolling the border to fighting terrorism and maintaining stability, from disaster response to pandemic control and prevention, it always serves as a pillar of the nation and a backbone of strength.

Under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping’s Thought on Strengthening the Army, the CPLA is faithfully implementing its missions in the New Era, and take comprehensive measures to enhance its political loyalty, to strengthen itself through reform and technology and the training of competent personnel, and to run itself in accordance with the law. The army is exerting unremitting efforts to realize the goal of building a stronger military in the new era, and making giant strides toward the great goal of developing world-class forces in an all-round way.

Today’s China is a stabilizer of the global industrial chains and supply chains, a key engine of world economic growth, and a mainstay of peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region. A peaceful, stable and prosperous China brings opportunities and benefits to the whole world. This year, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be convened in Beijing. This congress, to be held at an important time when China has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to realize the Second Centenary Goal, will be a highly important meeting and an event of great significance for the prosperity, stability and development of China, the Asia-Pacific as well as the whole world. Meanwhile, China is confronted with increasingly complicated external obstacles and challenges that may undermine its stable development. Internally, a handful of rampant separatist and hostile forces are undermining China’s national security. The Chinese military is demonstrating a determination, confidence and capability to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges, providing a solid strategic support for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and a strong guarantee for safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

One of the strongest motivations for the birth of the EU was “never again” should there be war in Europe. The strong desire for peace has also been shared by the Chinese people. President Xi Jinping once stressed that “peace, concord, and harmony are ideas that the Chinese nation has been pursuing and passing on for more than 5,000 years.” As to the Ukraine issue, China is committed to promoting peace and negotiation and always stands on the side of peace. President Xi Jinping has clearly put forward the “four principles”, namely the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. China calls on all parties to face up to the contradictions they accumulated over the years, find solutions, and promote the construction of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework. The international community must resolutely resist the wrong acts of inciting group confrontation and creating geopolitical division, and there should be no ground for any act of isolation, exclusiveness, zero-sum game and putting one’s own interests before others. In particular, the relevant parties should abandon the idea of “seeking the ultimate victory through war” and avoid causing more bloodshed and hatred.

China and the EU are two major forces, two major markets and two major civilizations. The development of China-EU relations is of great significance not only to both sides, but to the whole world. At present, China and the EU leaders have maintained regular communication, and practical cooperation between us has grown strongly. The defense departments of China and the EU have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, and have made steady progress in areas such as high-level exchanges, policy dialogues, maritime security and personnel training. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 47 years ago, China-EU cooperation has stood the test of times. It demonstrates great resilience, enormous potential and accords with the trend of our age. We have the responsibility to maintain the leading trend in China-EU dialogue and cooperation, have the duty to adhere to the keynote of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and have the confidence to jointly contribute to addressing global challenges. It is the sincere wish of the Chinese military to work with the EU defense authorities, as well as the defense departments and the armed forces of all the EU member states, to maintain and deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and contribute to the development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

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