Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan proposes a toast to Namibian military attach Nakaambo John Martin last night at a reception in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the 79th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. In a speech, Cao expressed the PLA's firm determination not to tolerate "Taiwan Independence." [China Daily]

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, made the remarks when addressing a reception in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 79th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on August 1.

Cao said to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and realize the complete reunification of the country is the core interest of China and the Chinese nation.

"We will resolutely implement the policies and principles of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with regard to the settlement of the Taiwan question, continue to exert our utmost with the greatest sincerity to promote the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations, and work for the prospect of peaceful reunification," Cao said.

Meanwhile, Cao said the PLA is determined to fulfill the sacred duty of safeguarding China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

"We will never tolerate 'Taiwan Independence' and will never allow the secessionist forces seeking 'Taiwan Independence' to make Taiwan secede from the motherland by any means or under any pretext," Cao stressed.

"Peace, development and cooperation are the general trend in the world today, and the overall international environment remains one of peace and stability," Cao said, noting that on the other hand, uncertainty and instability affecting peace and development remain a source of concern, and the human society is faced with new challenges.

Cao said the Chinese people love peace, wish to develop themselves, value cooperation and crave harmony. China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and is committed to peaceful development and the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.

"The Chinese armed forces pursue a military strategy which is defensive in nature and will strengthen exchanges, deepen cooperation, safeguard peace and enhance security with armed forces of other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," Cao said.

"The PLA will remain a staunch force in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and building a harmonious world," said Cao.

Also attending the reception were leading officials of Party, government and military departments, veterans, representatives of military attaches of foreign embassies in Beijing.

Army plays vital role in relief efforts

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undertaken a range of humanitarian relief missions in disaster-stricken areas overseas in the past five years, defence officials said ahead of today's 79th anniversary of the founding of PLA.

Zhou Bo, a senior official with the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defence, said 14 countries had benefited from 10 such missions.

"The Chinese military is committed to offering immediate relief aid and saving lives," he said.

"These international relief operations have displayed the sincerity of the Chinese Government and been fully acknowledged by the international community."

The PLA has stepped up efforts to share relief information and has held a number of search-and-rescue drills with foreign military forces in recent years.

Last November, the PLA naval force held joint search-and-rescue exercises with their counterparts in Pakistan, India and Thailand when visiting the countries.

And during a visit to the United States by Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, last month, the two sides agreed to hold a search-and-rescue exercise late this year.

Zhou said co-operation in logistics support in major international relief efforts was also very important.

He cited the example of the relief work in tsunami-hit Indonesia in early 2005. The Singapore Civil Defence Force dispatched a military plane to send the Chinese rescue team to the destination, while the Chinese helped a relief team from Mexico with food and drinking water.

"This co-operation not only facilitated the relief mission but also deepened friendships," Zhou said.

On the domestic front, nearly 225,000 military personnel have taken part in rescue and relief work this year.

According to Chang Shengrong, major general of the General Political Department of the PLA, 45,000 soldiers and officers as well as 180,000 reserve troops have helped save and evacuate 900,000 people endangered by flooding, forest fires and other natural disasters.

The PLA has also sent about 20 aircraft, 1,600 military vehicles and 370 boats to support relief efforts.

The PLA also participated in the embankment of 1,000 kilometres of dams, transported 1,300 tons of relief materials and restored 300 kilometres of roads.