STORY: 96th founding anniversary of Chinese People's Liberation Army celebrated in Tanzania
DATELINE: July 14, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of participants at the anniversary ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (ENGLISH): INNOCENT BASHUNGWA, Tanzanian Minister for Defense and National Service
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (ENGLISH): CHEN MINGJIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania

STORYLINE:

The government of Tanzania on Wednesday evening congratulated China on the upcoming 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on Aug. 1.

Innocent Bashungwa, Minister for Defense and Nation services, thanked China for its firm support in the socioeconomic development of Tanzania.

He was speaking at the celebration marking the 96th anniversary of the PLA held at the Chinese embassy in the port city of Dar es Salaam. It was attended by members of the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF), government officials, and representatives from foreign missions based in Tanzania.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): INNOCENT BASHUNGWA, Tanzanian Minister for Defense and National Service
"The 96th anniversary of the PLA is an illustration of the long successful journey that the PLA has passed through. This long journey of the PLA has made a substantial contribution to the defense sector in China and outside China, I commend all the efforts done by the PLA in this area. Tanzania wishes to thank the People's Republic of China for the firm support in socioeconomic development of our nation, including the security and defense sector."

Bashungwa called for combined efforts of states and governments to combat all forms of security threats, saying that in today's highly dynamic world, security challenges are dynamic and complex, and that security can no longer be perceived solely in terms of sovereign state affairs.

He said Tanzania will continue to look to its friend China and other friends around the world in addressing these security challenges for sustainable global peace and security.

Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said since its creation by the Communist Party of China on Aug. 1, 1927, the PLA has always been an unflinching force for the national independence and liberation of China, safeguarding China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prosperity of the country, and promotion of the Chinese people's well-being.

Ambassador Chen said the PLA made significant contributions to world peace and stability, actively participating in regional and international peacekeeping operations, maritime escort operations, international humanitarian assistance operations, and bilateral as well as multilateral exchanges and cooperation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHEN MINGJIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania
"Looking to the future, China will always view our bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and will always be a trustworthy friend of Tanzania. We will keep up the momentum of high level exchanges and dialogue, expand the scale of bilateral trade, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance cooperation in international and multilateral setting. I am very much confident that China-Tanzania friendship will continue to prosper and blossom in the future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondent reporting from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
(XHTV)