China has defended its military modernisation and its position on Taiwan, while declaring that its armed forces will continue to safeguard national sovereignty and expand cooperation with countries such as Namibia.
This comes as China marks the 99th anniversary of the founding of its People's Liberation Army.
China has put its military strength, territorial integrity and strategic partnership with Namibia at the centre of its foreign policy messaging.
At celebrations marking the 99th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, the Chinese defence attaché to Namibia left no doubt about Beijing's position on Taiwan.
Colonel Li Shujun declared that China would pursue peaceful reunification but would not rule out the use of force against any attempt to split the country.
“We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force. We are confident and determined to defeat any conspiracy and attempts that harm our national sovereignty.”
Colonel Li also defended China's military expansion, arguing that the People's Liberation Army remains a force for peace despite growing global tensions.
He cited China's role in UN peacekeeping missions, anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and Beijing's commitment to what it calls a defensive national defence policy.
The anniversary celebration also became a platform to underline the strengthening relationship between China and Namibia.
Li credited President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China two weeks ago as giving impetus to the military cooperation through training, exchanges and practical cooperation.
“This historic visit will push China and Namibia relations to a new high, bringing even greater benefits for our people. The friendship between the PLA and the NDF has withstood the test of time and continues to gain momentum, with practical cooperation taking place at multiple levels and in various domains.”
Namibia's Defence Force also traced the partnership to China's support to the Swapo Party during the liberation struggle.
This support translated to military training, including for Founding President Sam Nujoma in 1965 and other PLAN fighters.
Chief of the Namibian Defence Force Air Marshal Martin Pinehas highlighted that China's support has since extended far beyond diplomatic recognition and continues to shape the country's military capabilities.
“China's support has advanced the NDF's material capacity through defence equipment, technical training, maintenance expertise and mobility platforms. Such cooperation is not intended to create dependency but to strengthen our ability to train our personnel, maintain our systems, develop our own doctrine and make sovereign decisions concerning the defence of our respective states.”
The Chinese People's Liberation Army was established on 1st August 1927, during the Nanchang Uprising in the Chinese Civil War.