On the evening of 31 July 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia held a reception in Jakarta to celebrate the 96th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. H.E. Lu Kang Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, and diplomats of the Chinese Embassy and Chinese Mission to ASEAN attended the reception. Around 700 guests were present, including Lt. Gen. Bambang Ismawan, Chief of General Staff of TNI of Republic of Indonesia, Lt. Gen. Nyoman Cantiasa, Special Advisor to Chief of Staff of Indonesian Army, Admiral (Retired) Dr. Marsetio, Former Chief of Staff of Indonesian Navy, Retired Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Former Vice Minister of Defense, Vice Admiral (Retired) Dr. Desi Mamahit, Former Rector of National Defense University, political and military officials, friends from various sectors, diplomats of other countries, and representatives of overseas Chinese communities and Chinese institutions in Indonesia.
Sen. Col. Xu Sheng, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, delivered remarks at the reception. He pointed out that 96 years ago, the CPLA fought hard for the national independence and people’s liberation with great sacrifice and outstanding achievement. Entering the new era, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the CPLA focus on its centenary goal, march toward a world-class armed forces at a faster pace and strive to become a strong military force that can fight and win whenever needed. The Chinese armed forces has shown with its own actions that China will continue to uphold peace, development and win-win cooperation and committed to the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. China will always be the builder of world peace, the contributor of global development and the defender of international order.
Sen. Col. Xu Sheng emphasized that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joko Widodo, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Indonesia keeps growing. The two countries have entered a new era of China-Indonesia community with a shared future. As an important part of the bilateral relations, the mil-to-mil relationship has maintained a positive momentum of growth. Last November, the hospital ship “Peace Ark” of the Chinese Navy paid a friendly visit to Jakarta and provided free medical services to the local people. In June this year , two warships of the Chinese Navy came to Indonesia for “Komodo 2023” Multinational Naval Exercise. Just 2 weeks ago, The Chinese National Defense University Field Teaching delegation paid a successful visit to Indonesia. With our joint efforts, the relationship between our two countries and two militaries will definitely move up to a higher level. We will for sure make new and greater contributions to global and regional peace and common prosperity.
Lt. Gen. Bambang Ismawan, Chief of the General Staff of TNI Indonesia, expressed his best wishes for the 96th Anniversary of the CPLA, emphasizing that Indonesia and China enjoy a stable greater relationship with tradition of friendship. With bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of political, economic, cultural, education, health and especially military diplomacy areas, the bilateral relations will become even stronger. Indonesian is ready to continue to maintain the good momentum of mil-to-mil cooperation and work with China to take the relationship between the two militaries to a new level.
A photo exhibition themed “In the Service of Peace and Shared Common Future: Chinese Military Maintaining World Peace” was held at the reception. A video showing the active participation of the Chinese military in international security cooperation was played. The guests expressed warm congratulations on the 96th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, and spoke highly of the PLA’s contribution to world peace. They also offered their best wishes for the sound and stable development of the relations between China and the Indonesia and the two militaries. The Indonesian Navy Military Band performed the national anthems Pof the two countries and famous Chinese and Indonesian songs. Indonesian calligraphers also presented calligraphy works to celebrate this special occasion.
