On Thursday evening, 24 July the Ambassador of the P.R. of China to the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Xiao Junzheng and Defence Attache of the P.R. of China to Israel, Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang hosted an exclusive reception for a 150 guests, celebrating the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China at the David Inter Continental, Tel Aviv.
In China, 1st August is celebrated as Army Day, also known as P.L.A. Day, commemorating the founding of the People's Liberation Army in 1927. It is a professional military and state holiday to recognize China's armed forces. The People's Liberation Army was established during the Nanchang Uprising marking the start of the Chinese Communist Party's armed struggle and in 1933, 1 August was officially designated as Army Day.
The official ceremony started by the playing and singing of China and Israel's national anthems.
In his speech, Ambassador of China to the State of Israel, H.E..Mr. Xiao Junzheng emphasized that in the context of unprecedented changes unseen in a century and compounded risks, China's President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Security Initiative and advocated a security outlook characterized by common comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security, providing direction for solving global security challenges. The Chinese President has put forward a four point proposal regarding the current situation in the Middle East providing a Chinese solution for achieving regional peace and stability. The relevant parties should make every effort to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities, ensure the safety of civilians, initiate dialogue and negotiations while the international community should support mediation and efforts for peace. The Ambassador stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the world Anti-Fascist war. A Jewish soldier and medical doctor, Dr. Jacob Rosenfeld, contributed valiantly for 10 years fighting for China. China is willing to work with countries to jointly safeguard the hard - won achievements of World War 11, to uphold and promote hard earned peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness and a green and beautiful new world.

Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang stated that over 98 years ago since its founding , the People's Liberation Army has gone through a glorious course of struggle, making outstanding contributions to winning national independence, safeguarding national sovereignty and world peace. As the P.L.A. is embarking on a new journey in a new era, it adheres to the guidance of president Xi Jinping's thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the future as well as implementing his ideas on strengthening the military. The P.L.A. thoroughly implements President Xi's vision of a "Community of a Shared Future For Mankind" and "Three Global Initiatives" conducting peacekeeping military operations, humanitarian medical assistance, friendly exchanges and communications demonstrating the P.L.A. 's responsibility in safeguarding peace and security. The People's Liberation Army calls for a ceasefire in the Palestinian - Israeli conflict, the prevention of further hostilities between Israel and Iran and the peaceful coexistence of all ethnicities so that peace and development may once again prevail in the Middle East. Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang concluded his speech by making a toast.
Present among many dignitaries were Major General (ret) Matan Vilnai, a former Knesset member, Minister and Israel's Ambassador to China in 2012 who is currently the President of the Israel - Asia Chamber of Commerce, Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani (ret), former Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv and Minister of Internal Security, Mr. Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel and Mayor of Jerusalem, Vice Admiral (ret) Eliezer Marom, former Commander of the Israeli Navy, Brigadier General (ret) Yitzhak Segev, Israel's former Military Governor in Gaza in the early 1980's, Dr. Menashe Rosenfeld, El Salvador's Honorary Consul in Israel, Major General Patrick Gauchet, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization Head of Mission and Chief of Staff, Mr. Gabriel Hayon, Chairman of the Diplomatic Institute, Dr. Khaled Khalifa, Chairman of the Arab Council of Foreign Relations, Colonel (ret) Sasa Greenberg, former External Relations Department of the I.D.F. and last but most certainly not least, Ms. Ariela Schmida Doron, the Jerusalem Gold Hotel's General Manager.
Diplomacy.co.il warmly congratulates the Ambassador of China to Israel and the Defence Attache of China to Israel on the 98th anniversary of China's People's Liberation Army Day and for a memorable reception.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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