Beijing Grand Reception Marks PLA's 76th Founding Anniversary

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 01, 2003

Beijing Grand Reception Marks PLA's 76th Founding Anniversary

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China's Ministry of National Defense gave a grand reception in the Great Hall of the People Thursday in Beijing to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

In his toast at the reception, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said the PLA had, over the past year, implemented the important thought of "Three Represents" in a deep-going way and scored remarkable achievements in revolutionizing, modernizing and regularizing itself.

Especially in their recent endeavor to support the national capital of Beijing in battling against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) disease, he underlined, the PLA medical workers have contributed tremendously to the victory in the fight over the SARS epidemic.

Cao, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a state councilor, said the PLA would steadfastly adhere to the absolute leadership of the CPC with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee at the core, holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory and further implement the important thought of "Three Represents," working in unity with one heart and one mind and with stamina and diligence.

Concerning army building, Cao said, the PLA would actively promote military reform with Chinese characteristics, actively explore into what guides the army building in the new circumstances, realize development through advanced technology, run the army according to law and be strict in army discipline.

"We must build the armed forces on the basis of advanced science and technology, applying the latest research and development achievements in all fields of army building,'' Cao said.

He also called for improving education and training, stepping up defence research and equipment development, upgrading logistical support and raising the troops' capability for defence operations with advanced technology.

"We should work hard to make our talent strategy a success, and turn out a new type of high-caliber military professionals,'' said Cao.

Despite the complex and changeable international situation, he acknowledged, peace and development remained the themes of the time, and PLA loves peace and is determined to safeguard world peace and make its due contribution in promoting common development.

He added that the PLA should support and actively participate in the country's economic development, playing the role of a "vibrant force'' in infrastructure and environmental development.

On the Taiwan issue, Cao said that it is the common aspiration of all Chinese people, including Taiwanese compatriots, to settle the Taiwan question and achieve the complete reunification of the motherland.

"We will continue to uphold the basic principles of 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems' and the eight-point proposal put forward by Comrade Jiang Zemin on the development of cross-Straits relations and advancing the process of peaceful reunification at the present stage,'' Cao said.

He stressed that any attempt to separate Taiwan from the country is doomed to failure.

"We have the determination and capability to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will brook no separation of Taiwan from the rest of the country by anyone or in any way,'' he added.

Heads of various CPC Central Committee, government and military departments, army veterans, the capital city militia representatives, and military attaches of foreign embassies in Beijing, were among those attending the reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defense.

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