History museum of new China's military diplomacy opens

The unveiling ceremony of the History Museum of the New China s Military Diplomacy was held in Beijing on March 1. Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), state councilor and defense minister of the People s Republic of China (PRC), attended the ceremony and on behalf of the CMC visited the officers and men who are engaged in military diplomatic work as well as the retired comrades.

Liang Guanglie pointed out that the PRC established military relations with the Soviet Union upon its founding, opening a chapter in the history of new China s military diplomacy. On March 8, 1951, the Foreign Liaison Office of the CMC was founded, marking the establishment of a special agency on military diplomacy of the PRC.

Military diplomatic work has effectively contributed to the country's overall diplomacy and played an important role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests as well as accelerating the People s Liberation Army s (PLA) modernization drive and the preparation for military struggles.

Liang Guanglie said the year 2011 marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and to review and summarize the development course and valuable experience of new China s military diplomacy holds great and far-reaching significance to further carrying forward the fine traditions of the CPC and the PLA, better adapting to new situations and coping with new challenges and promoting innovative development of new China s military diplomacy from a new starting point.

Wei Fenghe, Nian Fuchun, Qin Yinhe and Liu Sheng among other leaders of the four general headquarters/departments of the PLA and the major units stationed in Beijing as well as the CMC General Office were also present at the unveiling ceremony.

By Gao Jiequan