On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Senior Colonel Wang Hongbin,

Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria, hosted a reception on 23 July 2026 at the Chinese Embassy in Sofia. More than 200 distinguished guests attended the event.

Senior Colonel Wang Hongbin warmly welcomed the guests on his own behalf, on behalf of H.E. Ms. Dai Qingli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Bulgaria, and on behalf of his colleagues at the Embassy. He expressed his sincere appreciation to all those present for their longstanding support and assistance in developing friendly relations and cooperation between China and Bulgaria, as well as in strengthening friendly exchanges between the armed forces of the two countries.

“This year, we solemnly commemorate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well as the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Throughout its history, the PLA has consistently advanced in step with the development of the cause of the Party and the people. It has grown stronger through the trials of the battlefield, developed by preserving traditions while pursuing continuous innovation, and enhanced its combat capabilities in the course of its development. Having endured the severe trials of war and numerous sacrifices, it has made an outstanding historical contribution to the cause of the Party and the people.

Following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee of the Party, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, guided by the strategic goal of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in response to unprecedented changes in the international environment, has consistently directed efforts towards the goal of building a strong military in the new era.

Under his leadership, the armed forces have comprehensively strengthened combat training and defence preparedness, resolutely fulfilled the tasks entrusted to them under the conditions of the new era, and confidently advanced towards achieving the centenary goals of the founding of the Army,” he stated in his address.

Senior Colonel Wang Hongbin also highlighted China’s role in promoting peace, global development, and the protection of the international order:

“China actively participates in United Nations peacekeeping operations and is the second-largest financial contributor to the Organization’s peacekeeping operations, as well as the largest contributor of personnel among the permanent members of the Security Council. China has also established a standby peacekeeping force of 8,000 personnel.

One example is the participation of Chinese peacekeepers in Lebanon, where, over the past twenty years, they have successively cleared more than two million square metres of land and discovered and neutralized more than 18,000 mines and other unexploded ordnance.

In the field of international humanitarian assistance, the Chinese Navy’s hospital ships Peace Ark and Silk Road Ark have carried out a number of activities under Mission Harmony. The Peace Ark alone has sailed more than 240,000 nautical miles, visited 43 countries and regions, and provided medical assistance to more than 230,000 people, becoming a true lifesaving ship of peace.

At sea, the Chinese Navy has deployed 48 escort formations comprising more than 100 military vessels to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. They have provided assistance and protection to nearly 100 vessels, more than half of which were foreign. These actions clearly demonstrate that the Chinese military fulfils its international obligations in the interests of peace and demonstrates the responsibility and consistent commitment of a major country to safeguarding world peace.”

The Defence Attaché further stated that today, as the world faces an increasingly complex and dynamic international environment marked by growing instability and uncertainty, the four global initiatives proposed by Xi Jinping offer “a constructive vision for promoting global development, security, civilizational dialogue, and the improvement of global governance.”

He emphasized that China is ready to work together with all countries that value peace, including Bulgaria:

“The Chinese military stands ready to deepen cooperation with the armed forces of all countries in order to jointly address common challenges and build a world of lasting peace, universal security, shared prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, and harmony with nature.

China and Bulgaria are traditionally peace-loving countries that consistently support the preservation of international peace and regional stability and advocate resolving international and regional conflicts through political and diplomatic means, thereby creating favourable conditions for peaceful development.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of China and Bulgaria, the traditional friendship between our two countries has gained new momentum, while exchanges and cooperation between our armed forces have developed successfully. I am confident that, through the joint efforts of both sides, this cooperation will reach a new level and yield even more significant results,” he concluded.

Following the official part of the reception, the guests engaged in lively discussions on the challenges facing world peace today. They also enjoyed a selection of excellent traditional Chinese dishes prepared by the hosts.

Photos courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Above: Senior Colonel Wang Hongbin, Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria, welcomes guests at the reception marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.