WELLINGTON, July 23 -- The Chinese embassy in New Zealand hosted a reception on Monday evening to celebrate the 92st anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, which falls on Aug. 1.

Wu Xi, China's Ambassador to New Zealand, stressed China's important role in maintaining world peace and stability. "Over the past 92 years, the PLA has grown into a modern armed force, dedicated to national security and unity, as well as to world peace and stability. "

"It participates extensively in United Nations peacekeeping operations, has escorted missions in the Gulf of Aden and engaged in international humanitarian rescue and assistance. China is the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and takes up the second-largest peacekeeping assessment rate among all nations. As such, the PLA is and will continue to be an important force in helping to build world peace, contributing to global development and maintaining the international order," Wu said.

"This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China," Wu said," China will continue to play a constructive role in regional hotspots, continue to present Chinese proposals and solutions, and strive to make greater contributions to resolving regional and international issues."

Senior Colonel Li Jingfeng, the Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, noted that PLA is and will be forever a defensive force. "PLA remains true to its original aspiration and keeps its mission firmly in mind, an aspiration and mission to safeguard China, promote regional and global peace and stability and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. "

"The global security environment evolves rapidly and more complicatedly. Traditional and non-traditional threats blend, state and non-state actors combine. To tackle a full spectrum of challenges, PLA is collaborating with all international partners and New Zealand Defence Force is one of the most important one," Li said.

More than 300 guests including New Zealand's Minister of Defense Ron Mark, Chief of Defence Force Kevin Short, Secretary of Defence Andrew Bridgeman, other high-level military officers and foreign delegates in New Zealand attended the reception.