The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force gave a reception to mark its 50th anniversary in Beijing on November 10.

Military attaches from 66 foreign embassies in Beijing, retired Air Force officers and Air Force personnel attended the reception.

Addressing the occasion, General Liu Shunyao, commander of the PLA Air Force said that China's Air Force will be modernized gradually in the next century. Liu emphasized that the Air Force will continue promoting exchanges and cooperation with foreign air forces in the development of world peace.

According to military sources, the PLA Air Force was established in November 11, 1949.

Over the past 50 years, the Air Force has become an integrated army composed of aerial troops, land-to-air missile troops, anti- aircraft troops, paratroops and radar troops.

Combat fleets of the Air Force are equipped with fighters, ground-attacking aircraft, bombers and transporters, capable of launching speedy attacks.