On August 1st, the Chinese Embassy in Finland held a reception to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). H.E. Mr Wang Tongqing, Chinese Ambassador to Finland, Brigadier General Timo Saarinen, Assistant Chief of Staff Logistics, Brigadier General Tero Ylitalo, Assistant Chief of Staff Plans and Policy, Mr Juha Niemi, Deputy Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other guests from the Finnish military and government as well as foreign military attachés, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises and students, altogether more than 150 people were present.

The defence attaché, Senior Colonel Sui Ning said in his opening remarks that China pursues a national defence policy that is defensive in nature, committed to the path of peaceful development. PLA actively contributes to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has always been at the forefront of maintaining regional and world peace. History has, and will continue to prove that China's development brings opportunities rather than challenges to the world. Chinese Armed Forces looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces, jointly writing a new chapter in maintaining world peace and stability and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The guests warmly congratulated the 96th anniversary of the founding of PLA, spoke highly of China's positive contributions to maintaining regional and world peace, and watched the video and photo exhibition introducing China's national defence and military with great interest.