China pledges deeper defence ties with Sri Lanka as Beijing marks PLA anniversary

From left: Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Defence Deputy Minister Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara and Chinese Embassy Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Fu Xiao

China used celebrations marking the 99th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to reaffirm its strategic partnership with Sri Lanka, with senior Chinese officials pledging deeper defence cooperation while presenting Beijing’s military modernisation as a contributor to regional stability and global peace.

Addressing a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo Attended by Defence Deputy Minister Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said military relations between the two countries had continued to deepen through defence consultations, personnel training, equipment cooperation and technical exchanges, while reiterating Beijing’s commitment to strengthening strategic trust with Sri Lanka.

“The military-to-military relations between China and Sri Lanka are battle-tested,” Ambassador Qi said.

He noted that China had provided emergency supplies worth RMB 10 million to Sri Lanka’s  Defence Ministry following Cyclone Ditwah, describing it as part of Beijing’s continuing support for the country.

“As always, China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to build strategic trust and continue to firmly support each other,” he said.

Ambassador Qi placed the bilateral relationship within the context of China’s broader foreign policy, arguing that the international system was facing increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

“The global landscape is undergoing profound changes, and hegemonism and power politics continue to prevail. The international community faces the danger of a return to the law of the jungle,” he said.

He said China would continue to support the United Nations-centred international system, international law and multilateral cooperation while maintaining a foreign policy based on non-alignment, non-confrontation and not targeting third countries.

Ambassador Qi also defended China’s military modernisation, saying the People’s Liberation Army had continued to upgrade its capabilities under the leadership of President Xi Jinping while remaining committed to safeguarding national security and contributing to international peace.

“The stronger China grows, the more peaceful the world becomes; the more China develops, the more prosperous the world gets,” he said.

Chinese Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Fu Xiao said the relationship between the two militaries had continued to strengthen through regular engagement with Sri Lanka’s defence establishment and expressed confidence that cooperation would deepen further as the two countries prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

“China-Sri Lanka friendship has a long-standing history. Next year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties,” Senior Colonel Fu said.

She said she had spent the past two months meeting senior Sri Lankan defence officials and military commanders and would work to advance practical cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

“I will devote all my time and energy to promote pragmatic and constructive collaboration between the two militaries,” she said.

Senior Colonel Fu said China continued to pursue a defensive national defence policy and described the PLA as a force contributing to international peace and humanitarian assistance.

She said China had deployed approximately 50,000 personnel to 26 United Nations peacekeeping missions over the past 36 years, while the Chinese Navy had maintained anti-piracy escort operations in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, completing more than 1,600 escort missions and assisting over 80 vessels, more than half of them foreign ships.

She also cited the deployment of China’s naval hospital ships to 56 countries and regions, providing medical treatment to more than 400,000 people, alongside participation in more than 50 international humanitarian relief operations following natural disasters.

“In the eyes of our partners, China’s deeds matter more than words,” Senior Colonel Fu said.

“In the era of global upheaval and uncertainty, let us join hands through our actions to strive for a peaceful and prosperous world.”

The reception formed part of Beijing’s annual commemoration of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army and comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka in 2027, a milestone both sides indicated would provide an opportunity to further expand bilateral engagement, including defence cooperation.