China is ready to deepen cooperation with Armenia in all areas, including security, said Chen Ming, China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia, on Tuesday, July 30, while speaking at an embassy event on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army, reports Armenpress.
“The Chinese and Armenian peoples value peace and strive for it. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both sides have respected each other’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity while continuing to develop friendly cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit,” he said.
“In recent years, under the strategic leadership of the leaders of both countries, China-Armenia military cooperation has achieved significant success, making a positive contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” he said.
“China is ready to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Armenia in all fields, including the security sector, and to elevate bilateral relations to a new level,” added the Chinese diplomat.
Armenian Armed Forces Chief Highlights Strong Bilateral Relations
China is currently one of Armenia’s most important international partners, and the further development of bilateral relations is a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy, said Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, at the same embassy event.
Asryan stated there is an untapped potential that should be used.
“The modern Chinese army is already 97 years old, yet it continues to be inspired by the fighting spirit and the glory of those who defended China’s freedom and independence throughout its millennia-long history. For centuries, the Chinese warrior has been a symbol of courage and devotion,” said Asryan.
He stated that China is currently one of Armenia’s most important international partners and that further developing friendly bilateral cooperation is a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy. According to Asryan, Armenia-China relations are based on traditional mutual respect, agreement, and a high level of political dialogue.
“Addressing the development of military cooperation between our countries, I can confidently say that China’s five principles of peaceful coexistence and the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity align fully with Armenia’s interests,” said the Army Chief. He added that he is confident that the foundation of Armenia-China relations holds significant untapped potential, and they will continue to advance bilateral cooperation, both in the defense sector and in other areas, based on these concepts, decisions, and perspectives.
Chinese Military Attaché Affirms Commitment to Strengthening Ties
China’s military attaché in Armenia, Senior Colonel An Qiang, stated China’s readiness to cooperate with Armenia to strengthen strategic ties in the military sphere and establish comprehensive, multilateral cooperation between the countries.
He emphasized that the Chinese Army is entering the international arena, making its contribution to maintaining world peace and promoting overall development. “The Chinese army is peace-loving,” he emphasized, stating that the PRC is developing cooperation with 150 countries of the world, and 1,800 Chinese soldiers serve as peacekeepers.
Qiang said the Chinese army is actively implementing a global security initiative. The Chinese military has widely cooperated and cooperates with more than 150 countries around the world, resolutely supporting international justice and regional peace stability, making positive contributions to building a community with a common future for mankind.
“China and Armenia are countries with a thousand-year history of civilization. Our peoples are endowed with kindness, perseverance and have an unbreakable spirit of struggle against violence. The Armenian people are able to better understand and realize the five principles of peaceful coexistence proposed by China 70 years ago and the concept of building a community with a common destiny for mankind, which is now proposed by China.”
He noted that the development of military cooperation between China and Armenia is based on these common concepts and has unlimited development potential, which will play a significant role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus region and throughout the world.
Qiang added, “In October of last year, the leaders of our armies held talks and exchanged ideas on the development of military relations, which gave a new charge to the practical cooperation between our armies. The two sides have carried out useful exchanges in such areas as mutual visits of delegations, professional exchanges, and personnel training. China is ready to make efforts to work with the Armenian side in the military field to strengthen strategic ties, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and promote the formation of a new framework for comprehensive, multi-level, and large-scale defense cooperation between China and Armenia.”
