Major General John Baptist Ngiruwonsanga, Commandant of the RDF General Headquarters represented General Mubarakh Muganga, the Chief of Defence Staff at the celebrations.
The PLA, established and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), has grown over the past 97 years into a formidable armed force committed to the liberation and well-being of the Chinese people, the independence and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and international peace and cooperation.
The army's contributions to global peace and stability kicked off when China first sent military observers to the United Nations (UN) in 1990. Over 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have since taken part in peacekeeping missions in more than 20 countries.
Currently, 1,700 Chinese peacekeepers are on duty in six missions across Africa and the Middle East with 17 Chinese peacekeepers recorded as having lost their lives in overseas UN missions.
China is the second-largest contributor to peacekeeping efforts in terms of financial assistance and UN membership fees and the largest troop-contributing country. The Chinese naval hospital ship 'Peace Ark' is currently visiting several African countries to meet the medical needs of local people.
Before the end of August 2024, the PLA plans to conduct the 'Peace Unity-2024' joint exercise with the Tanzanian and Mozambican armed forces to enhance the ability of the participating parties to jointly respond to terrorism and maintain maritime security.
Military cooperation between Rwanda and China is a significant aspect of their bilateral relations. Both countries are dedicated to maintaining peace and are important contributors to international peacekeeping operations.
China's Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Senior Captain (Navy) Li Dayi says that his institution and the RDF share common interests thereby learning from each other's experiences in military construction and development.
Dayi expressed his commitment to strengthening this cooperation: 'I personally assure you that I will spare no effort to continue to promote the pragmatic cooperation between PLA and RDF to a new level in the future and help the China-Rwanda friendly and cooperative partnership achieve new results,' he said.
Major General Ngiruwonsanga echoed these sentiments, highlighting the shared values and historical struggles for liberation between the two countries. He noted that the PLA's journey of fighting for justice and protecting individual rights serves as an inspiration.
'The legacy of the PLA is not merely a reflection of past achievements but a guiding light for the future. Our collective efforts, grounded in mutual respect and understanding, will continue to advance the shared goals of peace, security, and prosperity,' he stated.
In his keynote address, China's Ambassador to Rwanda, Amb. Wang Xuekun, reaffirmed the PLA's dedication to world peace and stability and reflected on the growing relationship between China and Rwanda since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He highlighted the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit as an important opportunity to further strengthen these ties. 'It's high time to push our relations to a new level,' he noted.
Senior Captain Li Dayi was recently appointed as the first ever defence attaché to Rwanda, a strong indicator of enhancement of bilateral relations and cementing the existing bond of friendship.
'China is always ready to work with Rwanda to bolster the relations between our two armies and two countries,' Amb. Wang said.
The longstanding relations between Rwanda and China span 75 years, marked by substantial cooperation. China remains one of the primary sources of Rwanda's imports, underscoring the depth of their economic ties.
Théophile Niyitegeka
