Respected Gen Nawaf Al Jebbawi, on behalf of the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends.

Good evening, most welcome to our reception!

This year marks the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. 91 years’ of enduring hardship, we never forget why we started. The numerous twists and turns the People’s Liberation Army has gone through only made it even stronger than ever. Especially in recent years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission, and after the fundamental PLA reform, this Armed Forces is revitalizing in every perspective. Faced with the highly complicated international situation and security environment, PLA is more than ready to fulfil any mission assigned to them at any time.

China is forever a peace-loving country. There’s a saying in the Analects of Confucius, “Do to others as you would be done by”. China has suffered from so many havocs and can strike a chord with the turbulent situation of other countries and the miserable lives of their people. Not to mention that, never will China, for its own interests, poke into and meddle with the life other countries chosen by themselves. No matter how developed China and PLA are, we will forever be the steadfast force maintaining world peace and justice. Nowadays, China is bearing more and more international responsibilities, playing more and more important roles in UN peacekeeping. Among the permanent members of UN Security Council, China ranks 1st in the number of troops sent for peacekeeping missions, ranks 2rd in funding the peacekeeping expenses. As of now, 2500 PLA men and women are carrying out peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, South Sudan, Mali and other UN areas of operation . Furthermore, China has completed registration of 8,000-strong UN peacekeeping force. PLA will continue making contribution to world peace.

China is forever the country advocating common development. Today, no country can hold aloof from a world in turmoil, just as no country can immune themselves to terrorism. China, for certain, will adopt an even opener manner and try to build a community of shared future for mankind with all nations. We’d like to join hands with all Middle-East countries and people, excluding various negative factors, working on development, promoting peace, and urging all sides to be more inclusive and reconciliatory for a win-win outcome. 17 days ago, while addressing the Opening Ceremony of The Eighth Ministerial Meeting of The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China and the Arab countries had agreed to establish a "Sino-Arab future-oriented strategic partnership of comprehensive cooperation and common development. Concrete measures include but not limited to the following: China will provide $20 billion in loans to help Arab states in economic reconstruction, offer $90m in aid to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Jordan for humanitarian and reconstruction programs. China will explore to implement a program of $150m supporting the security capability building of certain Middle-East countries.The Chinese government will hand another $15m earmarked for Palestine. The financial assistance for Palestine will target economic development programs and aim to improve living standards. There will also be donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA). We will set up a China-Arab states bank consortium. We firmly believe, with the implementation of these policies and other projects pertinent to our “Belt and Road Initiative”, China-Arab cooperation in politics, economy, finance, science and all other fields will be greatly enhanced, finally benefiting all countries and people in the Middle East. We are looking forward to the day when peace returns to this beautiful land.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends. At this junction, we are standing at a new starting point of China-Arab, China-Lebanon friendship and cooperation. Let’s adhere to the spirit of Silk Road, advancing step by step, steadily towards our goals. Stepping into a new era, making new achievements, and creating a better future!

Thank you!