As China prepares to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on August 1, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Niger hosted a commemorative reception on Thursday, July 24. The event brought together high-ranking officials from both nations, including the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Army, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and senior representatives from the Chinese diplomatic and defense corps.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Han Kangmin, Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Niger, paid tribute to the officers and soldiers of the PLA, highlighting its “glorious journey” since its founding in 1927.
“The 98-year history of the People’s Liberation Army of China is a glorious journey. Since 1927, under the firm leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has played a historic and essential role in the liberation of the Chinese people, in the construction and reform of socialism in China, as well as in the defense of the sovereignty, security and vital interests of the country.
It is rightly the Great Wall of Steel and the shield as shown in the short film,” said Mr. Han.
He also underlined the PLA’s international contributions over the past 35 years, noting its participation in 26 UN peacekeeping missions and its reputation as a “strong, civilized, and peaceful army recognized worldwide.”
Amid ongoing global instability, Mr. Han reiterated China’s commitment to sovereign equality and non-interference.
“We must respect the development paths independently chosen by the people of different countries and oppose interference in each other’s internal affairs. China-Niger cooperation is always based on the principle of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation, so as to support the development and reconstruction of Niger,” he said.
He cited major Chinese-backed projects in Niger, including the Zinder refinery, the 2,000-kilometre transnational oil pipeline, the Niamey General Reference Hospital, and the China-Niger Friendship Bridge, all of which have strengthened the country’s infrastructure and energy independence.
Military cooperation, Mr. Han stressed, remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations. “Last year, the Minister of State, Minister of National Defense, Army General Salifou Mody visited China and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Moussa Barmou participated in the 11th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing.
We are currently implementing the achievements of these visits as well as the results of the FOCAC, to advance cooperation between our two armies.”
Colonel-Major Chen Xunming, China’s Defense Attaché, also emphasized Beijing’s foreign policy of peaceful development and self-defense.
“Faced with the international strategic situation and the regional geopolitical complexity, China pursues a foreign policy of peace and a path of peaceful development determining its active defensive strategy, namely the principles of self-defense and counterattack in legitimate defense, the idea of never attacking unless attacked.”
He praised Niger’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS) for their role in safeguarding national sovereignty and stability, especially since the political transition of July 26, 2023.
“As a military, an honorable profession, we have a common natural vocation to pursue victory, both in operations and cooperation, Chinese and Nigerien.
In this sense, the PLA intends, together with the Nigerien army, to intensify and deepen bilateral exchanges, cooperation and trust in order to further enrich the China-Niger strategic partnership for the benefit of our two countries, our two peoples and our two armies,” concluded Colonel-Major Chen.
The event reaffirmed the growing strategic partnership between China and Niger, centered on mutual respect, development, and shared defense objectives.
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