Chinese and British militaries have seen more active exchanges and cooperation than ever in recent years remarked in a speech "Safeguard Peace and Promote Development" by the Chinese ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming on Thursday at a reception marking the 91st Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army.

Liu said in the recent month alone that the two militaries had frequent exchanges. General Yu Zhongfu of the PLA Air Force led a delegation to the UK and attended the events marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.  The first sea lord admiral Sir Philip Jones paid a successful visit to China, and the sixth China-UK Defence Strategic Consultation was successfully held.

Last year, the Chinese Navy Escort Taskforce paid its first visit to London. The Red Arrows performed at the Airshow China in Zhuhai for the first time. The two militaries held a successful joint evacuation tabletop exercise. And they have engaged in active cooperation on UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, anti-piracy and personnel training.

Liu expressed that the military-to-military relationship is an important part of the China-UK relationship. In 2015, President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK ushered in the China-UK “Golden Era.” 

At the beginning of this year, Prime Minister May paid a successful visit to China, during which the leaders of two countries agreed to build a more strategic, practical, global and inclusive bilateral relationship.

Liu sincerely called for the two militaries to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and to safeguard peace.

At the reception, Air Vice Marshal Warren James expressed his desire to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between two militaries. He also cut the cake with Ambassador Liu and Major General Su Guanghui, wishing the Chinese army a "happy birthday."

The reception to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was held in the Chinese Embassy in the UK on the evening of July 26. Chinese ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming, major general Su  Guanghui, defense attaché of the Embassy, and air vice Marshal Warren James together with more than 200 people from political and military sectors from both China and the UK attended the event.