The 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China was commemorated at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Saturday, with senior military officials from Pakistan and China attending the ceremony.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong attended the event as the chief guest, accompanied by China’s Defence Attaché Maj-Gen Wang Zhong, officials from the Chinese Embassy and senior officers of Pakistan’s tri-services, says an ISPR statement.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, welcomed the distinguished guests and congratulated the PLA on its 99th founding anniversary.

He paid tribute to the PLA’s contributions to China’s defence, national development, and international peace and security.

Highlighting the longstanding ties between Pakistan and China, the army chief said the friendship between the two countries was unique, time-tested and had remained steadfast despite evolving regional and global challenges.

He reaffirmed that the Pakistan Armed Forces and the PLA are enduring partners, bound by mutual trust, unwavering support and a shared commitment to regional peace, stability and the protection of common strategic interests.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Jiang expressed gratitude to Field Marshal Asim Munir for hosting the event and acknowledged the Pakistan Armed Forces’ sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He also reaffirmed China’s unwavering support for Pakistan and its enduring commitment to further strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.