China's Defense Ministry Hosts Reception Marking PLA 99th Anniversary

China's Ministry of National Defense held a grand reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 31 to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Defense Minister Dong Jun attended and delivered a speech, emphasizing that 2026 marks a crucial phase for achieving the PLA's centenary goal. He also framed the anniversary alongside key historical milestones, including the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March victory.

The annual August 1 Army Day reception serves as an official platform for China's defense leadership to signal political alignment, emphasize military readiness, and engage foreign diplomatic and defense attaches ahead of major strategic milestones, particularly the upcoming 2027 centenary target for force modernization.

China's Ministry of National Defense hosted a reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 31 to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), according to reports published by Chinese defense outlets. Defense Minister Dong Jun attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. The reception opened around 5:30 p.m. with the playing of the PLA anthem. In his address, Dong extended festive greetings to all PLA officers and soldiers, Armed Police personnel, civilian staff, reservists, and militia members. He also expressed greetings to veterans, heroic models, defense science and technology workers, local officials, and foreign military attachés and international organization representatives present at the event. Dong highlighted that 2026 represents a notable convergence of historical commemorations, marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March. He described the current period as a critical juncture in the push to achieve the military's centenary goal, a key operational and strategic modernization benchmark established for the PLA. Throughout his remarks, the Defense Minister reiterated the military's adherence to the Party's guidance and the strategic vision set forth by national leadership. Official state media reports noted the event served to honor revolutionary traditions while reaffirming the military's current direction in defense development.