Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Good evening.

It's my pleasure to welcome you to this reception celebrating the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

It's wonderful to see so many familiar faces, and some new ones too. Thank you for your longstanding interest in, and support for, China's development and diplomacy.

For ninety-nine years, the PLA has safeguarded China's sovereignty, security and development interests, faithfully carried out peacekeeping missions, and stood as a force for peace.

Behind these achievements is the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). And this year, as we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, it is worth asking: what has enabled the CPC to remain vibrant and continue leading China's development?

As we celebrate the PLA today, I believe its story offers a unique window into the answer.

The first part of the answer is the people. In China, the PLA is often called "the people's own army." That title has been earned through generations of service. Whether in times of war, in the aftermath of natural disasters, or on remote border posts, Chinese soldiers have always placed the people's safety and wellbeing above all else. When danger comes, they move toward it, not away from it.

The same commitment has guided the CPC throughout its 105-year endeavor. From achieving national independence to advancing reform and opening up, from eliminating extreme poverty to pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, its mission has remained unchanged: to enable the Chinese people to lead better lives.

By putting the people first, the CPC has earned their trust. And that trust has been its greatest source of strength.

The second part of the answer is the courage to self-reform. Over the years, the PLA has transformed itself into a modern force equipped to meet the challenges of a changing world. It has shown one simple truth: lasting strength comes through reform.

Behind that reform lies the CPC's own commitment to self-improvement. Throughout its history, the CPC has held to one enduring principle: pursue the truth, test it through real practice, and have the courage to reform itself along the way.

That has kept the CPC resilient and full of vitality, enabling it to lead the Chinese people in advancing Chinese modernization. That pursuit has delivered rapid growth and enduring stability in China. It has also created a new form of human advancement, offering valuable inspiration for the world, especially developing countries.

The final part of the answer is a commitment to the shared future of humanity. The PLA reflects that commitment in action. From UN peacekeeping missions to international humanitarian assistance, it serves not only the security of China, but also the cause of peace beyond its borders.

The CPC carries that same commitment further by leading China to shoulder its responsibilities to the world.

When multilateralism runs into headwinds, China firmly supports the UN in playing its central role in international affairs. We are the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Amid frequent global conflicts, China practices a unique Chinese approach to resolving hotspot issues, promoting peace talks and political settlement.

Amid profound global transformation, China put forward the four global initiatives on development, security, civilization, and governance, offering China's wisdom and solutions to address the common challenges facing humanity.

Increasingly, people see China's development not simply as China's own success, but as new opportunities for the world—what many now describe as "China Opportunity 2.0."

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world. China will continue to stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress—as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

We stand ready to work with all countries to uphold the international system with the UN at its core, promote peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, champion the common values of humanity, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you.