87th anniversary of PLA marked in Cambodia

The 87th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) was celebrated on Friday with the participation of about 300 Chinese and military officers as well as foreign military attaches.

The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, was presided over by Cambodian Defense Secretary of State Gen. Moeung Samphan and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo.

Speaking at the celebration, Wang Ximao, military attache of the Chinese Embassy, said in the past 87 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has achieved bright success in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the people of China.

"On the foreign affairs, the PLA has created and fostered friendship relations and cooperation with countries in the world and actively contributed to maintaining regional and global peace, " he said. "For Cambodia, the friendly ties between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Cambodia's Army have regularly been strengthened and expanded."

Major Gen. Phat Vibolsopheak, director of the Cambodian Defense Ministry's International Relations Department, expressed congratulations to China on the occasion and spoke highly of excellent ties between the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the PLA.

"I have confidence that the friendly relations and cooperation between our two armies will be further enhanced in the future thanks to strong commitment and efforts from the leaders of our two countries," he said.

He also thanked the government, army and people of China for their continual support to Cambodia in socio-economic development.