Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan addresses a reception held by the Ministry of National Defense to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China firmly adheres to peaceful development and a defensive defense policy, Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said at a reception celebrating the 89th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Sunday, a day ahead of China's Army Day.

The reception, presided over by Chang, hosted guests from all branches of the Chinese army, government bodies and foreign embassies, as well as representatives of veterans, retired army officials and relatives of heroes.

Stressing that the Chinese military will firmly safeguard state sovereignty, national security and development interests, Chang said in his opening remarks that territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests will be defended.

"We are confident in addressing security threats and provocations," said Chang, adding that the Chinese military will "always stand ready to be called upon and be able to fight and win at request of the nation and its people."

Chang said the PLA has emerged from grueling years of war and is "destined not to fear war, but will definitely cherish peace."

"We want peace, not war; cooperation, not confrontation. This is the common aspiration of people around the world," he said.

He also pledged to stay committed to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and strengthen participation in global and regional affairs.

"China is willing to provide more public security goods to the international community in areas including the United Nations peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, overseas escort and international disaster relief," he added.

In August 1927, armed forces led by the Communist Party of China held an uprising against warlords. The first day of August was later designated as the PLA's founding day.

新华社北京7月31日电（记者王经国、臧晓程）中华人民共和国国防部31日在人民大会堂举行招待会，热烈庆祝中国人民解放军建军89周年。

中央军委委员、国务委员兼国防部长常万全致辞。中央军委委员房峰辉、张阳、赵克石、张又侠、马晓天、魏凤和出席招待会。

人民大会堂灯火辉煌，充满节日气氛。主席台帷幕中央悬挂着巨型“八一”军徽，两旁是十面鲜艳的红旗。“1927－2016”几个醒目的大字，昭示着中国人民解放军走过了89年的光辉历程。

18时整，招待会在雄壮的《中国人民解放军军歌》声中开始。常万全代表党中央、国务院、中央军委，向中国人民解放军指战员、武装警察部队官兵、预备役军人和广大民兵致以节日祝贺，向辛勤工作在国防科技工业战线的同志们致以诚挚问候，向为中国人民解放军建设作出重要贡献的离退休老同志、转业退伍军人、革命伤残军人和烈军属表示亲切慰问，向部队英模代表、全国双拥模范代表致以崇高敬意，向长期关心支持国防和军队建设的各级党委和政府、社会团体，向全国各族人民表示衷心感谢，向出席招待会的各国驻华武官和夫人及各位来宾表示热烈欢迎。

常万全说，89年来，在中国共产党的领导下，人民军队前赴后继、英勇奋战，打败了国内外强大的敌人，克服了无数的艰难险阻，为中国革命、建设和改革事业，为维护世界和平与安宁，建立了彪炳千秋的伟大功勋。

常万全指出，建设同我国国际地位相称、同国家安全与发展利益相适应的巩固国防和强大军队，是我国社会主义现代化建设的战略任务。在强军兴军的伟大征程中，中国人民解放军必须高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，以马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观为指导，坚决贯彻习近平总书记系列重要讲话精神，牢牢把握党在新形势下的强军目标，全面实施政治建军、改革强军、依法治军，更加注重聚焦实战，更加注重创新驱动，更加注重体系建设，更加注重集约高效，更加注重军民融合，努力建设一支听党指挥、能打胜仗、作风优良的人民军队。要毫不动摇地坚持党对军队的绝对领导，坚决贯彻落实军委主席负责制，增强政治意识、大局意识、核心意识、看齐意识，确保一切行动坚决听从党中央、中央军委和习主席指挥。要毫不动摇地拓展和深化军事斗争准备，始终坚持战斗力这个唯一的根本的标准，全面提高信息化条件下的实战能力。要毫不动摇地传承和弘扬军队优良传统，永远保持旺盛的革命斗志和艰苦朴素的革命本色。要大力推动军民融合深度发展，广泛开展全民国防教育，深入抓好双拥共建活动，巩固发展军政军民团结。

常万全强调，中国坚定不移走和平发展道路，愿扩大同各国利益的交汇点，推动构建以合作共赢为核心的新型国际关系，推动形成人类命运和利益共同体。中国坚定不移奉行防御性国防政策，积极参与国际和地区安全事务，愿在联合国维和、反恐、海外护航、国际灾难救援等领域提供更多公共安全产品。中国军队坚定不移维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，坚定不移捍卫领土完整和海洋权益，有信心有能力应对各种安全威胁和挑衅行径，当祖国和人民需要的时候，坚决做到召之即来、来之能战、战之必胜。

常万全指出，坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”是两岸关系和平发展的政治基础。对任何人、任何时候、以任何形式进行的分裂国家活动，英雄的人民解放军、13亿多中国人民、整个中华民族都决不会答应！

常万全最后强调，我们要更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为总书记的党中央周围，不忘初心、继续前进，开拓创新、锐意进取，艰苦奋斗、扎实工作，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，为不断推进人类和平与发展的崇高事业而不懈努力！

军委机关各部门、驻京各大单位、武警部队负责人出席招待会。

出席招待会的还有中共中央、国务院有关部门，北京市、对外友协负责人；军队离退休老干部代表，部队英模、首都民兵、烈军属、全国双拥模范、原国民党起义人员代表以及外国驻华使馆武官和夫人等中外嘉宾。