NAIROBI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Kenya on Tuesday hosted a reception in Nairobi to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Senior government officials, diplomats, military leaders, business executives, and scholars attended the reception, underscoring the vitality of China-Kenya defense cooperation.
Guo Haiyan, the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, said that the PLA was founded, developed and strengthened under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and has always stood together with the Chinese people.
"The PLA has made irreplaceable historic contributions to achieving our national independence and the liberation of our people, safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and advancing Chinese modernization," Guo said.
She highlighted the PLA's contributions to safeguarding peace, responding to disasters, and protecting China's land and maritime borders, saying it has always been a steadfast force that the Chinese people can trust and rely on.
"China will work with Kenya and all peace-loving countries and peoples around the world to act on the Global Security Initiative, jointly safeguard peace, promote development and deepen cooperation," Guo said.
John Mugaravai Omenda, vice chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, said the anniversary honors the PLA's enduring legacy and its steadfast commitment to defending China's sovereignty.
"It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the strong and growing partnership between Kenya and China, which is founded on mutual trust, respect, and shared aspirations for peace, security and prosperity," Omenda said.
Kenya highly values its mutually beneficial defense cooperation with China, which has flourished through military exchanges, training, equipment support, peace operations, disaster response and humanitarian assistance, Omenda said.
He added that the East African nation is committed to deepening defense cooperation with China in a manner that is responsive to its national defense priorities. ■
