China, Britain celebrate military ties

LONDON - Chinese defense attache's office in London held a reception on Monday to mark the upcoming 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming, Defense Attache Cai Yong, British Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Air Staff Stephen Dalton, as well as representatives of Chinese communities in Britain and other embassies attended the reception.

Cai recalled the PLA's great contribution to safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity over the past years and in providing strong support to China's economic and social development.

He stressed China's commitment to an independent foreign policy of peace and a defense policy which is defensive in nature.

"The PLA will not be a threat to any other country. On the contrary, China has for many years played an important role in upholding world peace and meeting global challenges," Cai said.

For example, he said China has dispatched around 21,000 personnel on some 30 UN peacekeeping missions, the highest number among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and that the PLA naval escort fleets have been deployed to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.

Cai also underlined the rapid growth of China-Britain military ties. The defense strategic talks between China and Britain and other high-level visits have greatly promoted mutual understanding and trust between the two countries, he said, adding that exchanges and cooperation in various specialized defense fields have also been productive.

"I hope we will work together to enhance military relations, and contribute to the sound and steady growth of the overall relations between the two countries," he added.

"I think that the relationships are getting closer, warmer and more trusting," Houghton told Xinhua. "This is a very positive sign for the future cooperation."

He said Britain recognized the modernization within the PLA forces and would like to see the PLA "actively involve itself in some of the United Nations operations, perhaps also bilaterally in some operations such as counter-piracy".