JUBA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan hosted a reception to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Speaking at the event, South Sudanese Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Chol Thon Balok said bilateral relations with China are deeply rooted in genuine friendship and mutual respect.
"The people and the government of China have been standing in solidarity with the people and the government of South Sudan for decades," Balok said.
Balok commended China's support for key sectors in South Sudan, including peacebuilding, peacekeeping operations, infrastructure development, and economic investment.
Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said that China's history has taught its people the vital importance of peace and development, noting that China is the largest troop contributor to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as the second-largest financial contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget.
China has participated in 29 UN Security Council-authorized peacekeeping operations, deploying more than 50,000 military personnel and over 2,700 police officers, he added.
"At this very moment, more than 1,600 Chinese peacekeepers are serving in eight UN mission areas, with the vast majority deployed in South Sudan," he said. ■