Chinese embassies celebrate 97th founding anniversary of PLA

Chinese embassies across the world have held receptions and events to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on August 1.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States held a reception on July 25 to mark the day.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said at the reception that a world of peaceful development requires generally stable China-U.S. relations and expressed the hope that the U.S. side will work with China to promote the steady and positive development of bilateral relations.

Defense Attaché Liu Zhan said that the gradual resumption of the China-U.S. military-to-military exchanges aligns with the common interests of both sides and the general expectations of the international community.

On the same day, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom held a reception, during which Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang emphasized that China has always valued the development of China-UK relations. Zheng expressed hope that the Chinese and British militaries will strengthen dialogue, engagement, and exchanges to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, and consistently act as stabilizers for the bilateral relationship.

Air Vice-Marshal Mick Smeath from the British Strategic Command said on the occasion that the UK is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with China in the defense sector, and jointly work to promote global and regional peace and stability.

The Chinese Embassy in Germany on July 24 held a reception to mark the day.

Defense Attaché Wu Junhui pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany. He noted that the relationship between the Chinese and German militaries has maintained a trend of steady development in recent years.

At the reception held on July 24 at the Chinese Embassy in Colombia, ambassador Zhu Jingyang said that China is advancing towards the grand goal of building a world-class military.

Meanwhile, at the reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore on July 24, Defense Attaché Liu Xiaoguang said that the military-to-military relationship between the China and Singapore has entered the right track and is continually advancing, contributing to the ongoing development of friendship and mutual trust between the two countries and their people.

At the reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia on the same day, Defense Attaché Zhu Jie said that China values its deep friendship with Saudi Arabia and is willing to expand strategic cooperation in defense and security, striving to elevate the relationship between the two militaries to a higher level. Attendees also applauded the positive contributions made by the Chinese military in international peacekeeping, maritime escort missions, and humanitarian assistance.

On July 24, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia held a reception at which Zambia Air Force ZAF Commander Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni conveyed warm congratulations on the Chinese Army Day on behalf of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Congo on July 24 held a reception to mark the day. Defense Attaché Zhong Shijun said that said that the relationship between the Chinese and Congolese militaries continues to develop steadily. The two sides will further enhance military exchanges and cooperation to inject more positive energy into global peace and stability.

Charles Richard Mondjo, Defense Minister of the Republic of the Congo praised the contributions of the Chinese military to global peace.

Chinese embassies celebrate 97th founding anniversary of PLA

A high-level mediation team from the African Union (AU) Commission has been dispatched to Juba, capital of South Sudan, to try to ease the rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, and help resolve the current political crisis in the country.

Riek Machar and several senior officials have been detained since clashes erupted in January between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces and the opposition fighters.

Machar was accused of instigating violence in Nasir in the northern part of the country.

The mediation team says it plans to engage Machar, but that meeting is yet to take place.

The AU is urging South Sudanese political leaders to resolve the current disagreement through dialogue.

Machar heads the largest opposition group that has an armed wing in the country, known as SPLM/A-IO.

South Sudan's government says it's still investigating Machar for being allegedly involved in clashes between government troops and armed civilians affiliated to SPLM/A-IO in Nasir.

"The mandate of the RTGoNU (the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity) is simple; that we stop war, we form a revitalized government of national unity so that we return security, sustainable peace in the country," said Martin Elia Lomuro, South Sudan's Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

Meanwhile, Machar's party members are calling on president Kiir to order the release of their leader.

The group argues that the arrest of Machar means the 2018 peace deal which ended five years of violence in the country has partially collapsed.

The government reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the 2018 peace deal.

It says Mr. Machar is in conflict with the law and that the implementation of the peace deal should not be used as cover to commit crime. However, until now, South Sudanese law enforcement agencies have not charged Machar with any offense in a court of law.

South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, signed a peace deal in 2018 that ended a civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar. Nearly 400,000 people died in the civil war.

Relations between Kiir and Machar, who have dominated South Sudan's politics for decades, remain strained. The clashes and latest political tensions between the two leaders have unsettled many citizens and the international community.

AU dispatches Panel of Wise to address ongoing instability in South Sudan