PLA Will Remain a Steadfast Bulwark for National Reunification: Defense Minister Dong Jun

Dragon Media News Desk

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has said that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will remain a steadfast bulwark for the country’s national reunification and will resolutely thwart all attempts at “Taiwan independence” separatism and external military interference.

Addressing a reception held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 31 to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, Dong emphasized that safeguarding China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests is a sacred mission of the armed forces.

At the reception hosted by China’s Ministry of National Defense, Dong said the PLA would firmly defend the historic objective of national reunification and respond decisively to any separatist activity or external military challenge, according to the Global Times.

He noted that 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Red Army’s Long March.

According to Dong, the people’s armed forces have continued to uphold their glorious traditions and fine conduct while ensuring unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party of China.

He stressed that the military would maintain a high state of readiness for any contingency and accelerate the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

Dong said efforts would be intensified to develop advanced combat capabilities, apply modern technologies, strengthen joint operational capacity and improve military preparedness in response to the evolving security environment.

The defense minister also said the Chinese military stands ready to work with all forces that uphold justice and share common aspirations.

According to Dong, the PLA is prepared to jointly oppose actions that undermine international and regional peace and stability, address global security challenges and demonstrate through concrete action the responsibility and commitment expected of the armed forces of a major country.

China has consistently maintained that its national defense policy is defensive in nature. The Chinese side presents the modernization of the PLA as an essential means of safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful development and the security of the Chinese people.

The 99th anniversary of the founding of the PLA is regarded as an important historical milestone ahead of the armed forces’ centenary goal in 2027.