China held a meeting on Friday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) army entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.
Attendees observed a moment of silence in tribute to the war martyrs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech during the meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Historic significance
The Chinese people have never forgotten the contributions made by the CPV army and other individuals to the victory of the war, Xi said.
The war is an example of modern warfare in which there was great disparity in the military power of the parties involved.
Xi hailed the historic significance of War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, saying it defied the invasion and expansion of imperialism and safeguarded the security of New China.
The war also safeguarded the peaceful lives of the Chinese people, stabilized the situation in the Korean Peninsula and upheld peace in Asia and the world, Xi said.
The victory of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea will be remembered in history as humanity's fight for peace, development and progress, he added.
Read more: Xi: Chinese People's Volunteers army's contributions to war victory not forgotten
CGTN
Peace-loving nation
China thanks all peace-loving countries, peoples and international organizations for their support to the CPV army in the war, said Xi.
The Chinese nation loves peace and the Chinese people know well the value of peace, he noted in the speech.
The success of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea shows China's firm resolution to safeguard world peace, Xi added.
Seeking peaceful development and win-win cooperation is the right way forward, the president stressed.
Modernized army
China must turn itself into a modernized power and build a world-class army, as a strong military can provide "strategic support" to the country's national rejuvenation, Xi said.
He added that China always adheres to a defensive national defense policy and its military always firmly safeguards world peace and stability.
As a responsible world power, China upholds universal values such as peace and development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom, as well as promotes global governance through the principles of consultation, contribution and shared benefits, Xi stressed.
But the president said that China will not compromise on its national sovereignty, security and interests.
The Chinese people, he continued, will definitely fight back once external forces attempt to invade and undermine China's territorial integrity.
Read more: Xi Jinping says modernized army key to national rejuvenation
Read more: Back to 38th parallel: A war never to forget