Reception for the 99th Anniversary of the Founding of the PLA; Defense Minister: Resolutely Defeat Taiwan Independence

At a reception celebrating the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s Minister of National Defense, Dong Jun, stated that they must serve as a strong cornerstone for national reunification, resolutely frustrate any form of “Taiwan independence” separatist plots and external military intervention.

August 1st is the 99th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese PLA. According to the Chinese "Ministry of National Defense Release," the ministry held a celebratory reception at the Great Hall of the People on the 31st. China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun attended and delivered a speech.

Dong Jun said that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March victory, and is also a key year for the tough battle to achieve the centenary goal of the PLA’s founding.

Dong Jun emphasized that we must serve as a solid cornerstone for national reunification, resolutely frustrate any form of “Taiwan independence” separatist plot and external military interference, and fulfill the sacred mission of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. "The Chinese military is willing to work together with all like-minded and justice-loving forces to jointly resist retrograde practices that harm international and regional peace and stability, to face global security challenges hand in hand, and to fulfill the responsibilities of a major military power with concrete actions."

Implementing the “Chairman Responsibility System”

Dong Jun also emphasized that the military “firmly listens to the Party and follows the Party,” implementing the “Chairman Responsibility System.”

Following the Chinese Communist Party’s announcement in October 2025 of the expulsion of Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong from Party and military membership, in January this year it was also announced that another Vice Chairman, Zhang Youxia, and CMC member and Joint Staff Department Chief Liu Zhenli, were under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law. At that time, PLA Daily commented that the two had seriously betrayed the trust placed in them and severely undermined and trampled the “Chairman Responsibility System.”