Doha, 26 July 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Qatar Chen Yue and Chinese Defence Attache Colonel He Botao hosted a reception to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Attendees at the event included diplomats, officials and guests, including HE Yousef Laram, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Brigadier-General Mohammed Mahdi Al Ahbabi, Acting commander of the Qatari Emiri Borders Corps; HE Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Naval Commodore Sharjeel Iftikhar, Defence Attache of Pakistan and Dean of Defence Attache Association in Qatar.

Colonel He Botao, China’s First Defence Attache to Qatar, highlighted the strong bilateral relations between China and Qatar. He said that despite the geographical distance, the two countries have had a long history of friendship and exchanges between their people.

He praised the deepening political mutual trust under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which has led to fruitful cooperation in various fields.

Col. Botao also noted the significant progress in military cooperation, especially since the establishment of Defense Attaché Offices in each other’s embassies in 2019, providing a new platform for enhancing military ties.

Outgoing Chinese Defence Attache expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation of Qatari officials during his four year term and vowed to cherish the memories of Qatar and the experiences of his time here.

Regarding the 96th celebrations of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Col. Botao highlighted its evolution from its founding on August 1, 1927, into a formidable force safeguarding national security and interests. He praised the PLA’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, with more than 50,000 peacekeepers deployed in 25 missions, and acknowledged the sacrifices made, with 17 Chinese military personnel losing their lives in these operations.

Chinese Defence Attache underscored China’s commitment to international peacekeeping and its readiness to deploy an 8,000-strong standby force for this purpose. He also highlighted China’s active participation in global security initiatives, including military exchanges, with more than 150 countries and providing international public security goods such as escorting fleets and conducting disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide.

Col. Botao shared the remarkable achievements of the Chinese Navy hospital ship Ark Peace, which has provided medical services and conducted relief operations in numerous countries, earning it the honourary title of the ‘Boat of Life and Health’.

He assured that China would continue its support and participation in UN peacekeeping efforts and international security cooperation in the future.