Chinese People's Liberation Army celebrates 97th anniversary
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China which celebrated its 97th birthday on August 1, is one of the largest, most potent and fast-growing militaries in the world. The PLA has become a cornerstone of modern China’s development, embodying China’s resolve and resilience.
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The PLA now commands cutting-edge weaponry and a modernised structure that reflect China’s advancements in science and technology, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has made it a goal for the PLA to “modernise” by 2035 and to be a “world-class” military power by mid-century.
China’s navy
In 2014, China’s Navy overtook the US Navy to become the largest military fleet in the world although the US Navy is still considered to be more powerful.
The PLA traces its roots to the 1927 Nanchang Uprising of the communists against the Nationalists which marked the beginning of the independent armed struggle led by the Communist Party of China.
It also marked the founding of the armed forces which later became the PLA. Over the past 97 years, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese PLA had embarked on an extraordinary and glorious road from small to large. Initially called the Red Army, it grew under Mao Zedong and Zhu De from 5,000 troops in 1929 to 200,000 in 1933 and has grown steadily over the years and can boast of two (2) million troops currently making it the largest armed forces in the world.
Only a fraction of this force survived the Long March in retreat from the Nationalists. After rebuilding its strength, a large portion of it, the Eighth Route Army, fought with the Nationalists against the Japanese in northern China.
The Communist forces
After World War II, the communist forces, renamed the People’s Liberation Army, defeated the Nationalists, making possible the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
In the past 97 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has made indelible contributions to the independence of the nation, the liberation of its people, and the development of the country.
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The PLA has been serving not only as a strong safeguard for China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also as a major contributor to world peace and tranquility.
China is committed to peaceful development and pursues a national defence policy that is defensive in nature. No matter how much it develops, China will never seek hegemony, expansion, sphere of influence or arms race.
World Peace
The armed forces of China have always been a staunch force that safeguards world peace, and will continue to carry out international military exchanges and cooperation.
They are ready to work with other countries to jointly tackle global security challenges, fulfill their international duties and obligations commensurate with China's international status, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
A reception organised by the Chinese Embassy in Ghana to mark the day also highlighted the strengthening of military ties between China and Ghana was attended by a number of guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, heads of Ghana’s security agencies, academia and the media.
Colonel Song Jun, the Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, in a keynote address, said the PLA’s journey from its inception during the Nanchang Uprising in 1927 to its current role as a major contributor to global peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts was significant.
China, Ghana relations
China and Ghana are partners and China highly appreciates Ghana's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and consistent understanding and support of China's core interests.
Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Since then, the friendship between China and Ghana has been continuously consolidated, and our cooperation in various fields has flourished with abundant fruits.
China attaches great importance to the military relation with Ghana and the military exchanges and cooperation between our two militaries have continued to deepen in recent years.
Chinese PLA will continue to support the capacity building of the Ghana Armed Force. I believe with concerted efforts, China and Ghana will embrace new momentum of reciprocal cooperation and bring our bilateral military relationship to a higher level.
Global Security initiative
When the world is entangled in intertwined turmoils and transformation, the global economic recovery is sluggish and the geopolitical crises have persisted, the Global Security Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
It aims to create a new path to security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win outcome over zero-sum game. It promotes the building of a world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security.
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This important international public goods provided by China has so far received support and appreciation from over 100 countries and regional organisations.
Maintain world peace
China stands ready to join hands with all sides to deepen the implementation of the initiative in a bid to maintain world peace and tranquility while the PLA would honour its international responsibilities and obligations, playing a more significant role in UN peacekeeping operations, escort missions in the Gulf of Aden, and international humanitarian rescue and assistance.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, congratulated the PLA for the giant strides it had made towards global peace and security.
The GAF had enjoyed close and cordial relationship with the Chinese PLA and that the establishment of Defence Attach Offices in each other’s country was a testimony of their collective efforts to strengthen their bilateral relations.
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“Our military relationship has translated into significant infrastructure, equipment, training, and other support with profound impact on the GAF in particular.
Defence cooperation
Such prospects had travelled great lengths to enhance the remarkable defence cooperation between Ghana and China which had augmented the time-tested relationship between the two nations in economic, social, cultural and many other spheres.
The military aid by the People’s Republic of China to the GAF in the form of constructing training facilities were expected to be completed and commissioned in 2024 resulting in an increase in training opportunities for the GAF this year.