BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Brunei held a reception on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Brunei's deputy minister of defence, First Admiral (Retired) Abdul Aziz, commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Major General Mohd Tawih and foreign representatives in Brunei attended the reception.
The PLA is undergoing a comprehensive reform, which is intended to "make breakthroughs before 2020 in military administration and joint operational command, optimize the military structure, enhance policy systems and civilian-military integration, and build a modern military with Chinese characteristics," said Yang Jian, Chinese ambassador to Brunei, in a keynote speech at the reception.
She added that the PLA will "firmly protect China's national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and safeguard the interests of national development and the interests of the Chinese people."
"China's national defense policy, which is defensive in nature, remains unchanged."
Defense cooperation between China and Brunei has been expanding and deepening throughout the years, said the ambassador.
"Exchange of visits, personnel training, and multilateral military exercises have helped the two sides to increase mutual understanding," she said.
The ambassador expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the two sides, the bilateral military relationship will be brought to a new height.
