Chinese Ambassador to Qatar H E Cao Xiaolin (centre) and other officials during a cake-cutting ceremony at the reception.
Doha: China has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, stability and deeper defence cooperation with Qatar and the Gulf region as it marked the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Speaking at a reception commemorating the occasion yesterday, the Chinese Defence Attaché to Qatar Senior Colonel Yang Yongzhi highlighted China’s vision of peaceful development, stronger international security cooperation and expanding military-to-military relations with Qatar.
The event was attended by the Chinese Ambassador H E Cao Xiaolin, senior Qatari military officials, diplomats and distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, the defence attaché said the anniversary was not only an opportunity to celebrate the PLA’s history but also to present China’s approach to peace, security and regional cooperation at a time of growing geopolitical challenges.
He noted that the Gulf region had experienced one of its most complex security situation in recent years, citing the spillover effects of regional conflicts, disruptions to maritime shipping, changes in international flight routes and fluctuations in global energy prices.
“The mission of a military is not to wage war, but to prevent it,” he said, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, consultation and shared development rather than confrontation or the use of force.
He reaffirmed that China remains committed to a defensive national defence policy and peaceful development, while supporting political dialogue to resolve disputes. He also highlighted President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative, which advocates respect for national sovereignty, comprehensive security and peaceful settlement of international disputes.
The defence attaché said China views a peaceful and prosperous Gulf as being in the interests of both regional countries and the wider international community. He added that Beijing has consistently supported countries in the region through dialogue, mutual trust and constructive engagement rather than geopolitical rivalry. Highlighting China’s military modernisation, he said the PLA has undergone major reforms under President Xi Jinping, resulting in improved command structures, enhanced operational capabilities and advanced defence technologies.
He emphasised that China’s defence spending remains defensive in nature, accounting for less than 1.5 percent of the country’s GDP, which he said is below the global average and lower than NATO’s guideline of 2 percent. The military’s development, he added, is intended to safeguard China’s sovereignty while contributing to global peace and security. The address also highlighted China’s contributions to international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The defence attaché noted that China is the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and has deployed more than 50,000 personnel to over 20 UN peacekeeping missions during the past three decades.
He further pointed to the Chinese Navy’s continuous escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia since 2008, protecting thousands of commercial vessels, including those vital to Gulf trade and energy transportation. Recalling his personal involvement in the 2015 evacuation from Yemen, he described the operation as an example of China’s commitment to protecting lives and fulfilling its international responsibilities.
Turning to bilateral relations, the defence attaché praised the growing strategic partnership between China and Qatar, noting that defence cooperation has expanded across military exchanges, education, personnel training and defence industry collaboration. He cited Qatar’s participation in the Second Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Junior-and-Middle-Level Officers’ Exchange, the participation of leading Chinese defence companies at DIMDEX and continued exchanges between military academies in both countries as examples of strengthening ties.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral relations, he said China stands ready to further expand defence exchanges and industrial cooperation with Qatar and other friendly nations based on mutual respect and shared development.
