This year marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China. In order to celebrate the event, Senior Colonel and Mrs. Yang Haisheng, Chinese Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the Republic of the Philippines hosted a reception in the Chinese Embassy on 29 July. Chinese Ambassador Wu Hongbo, Political Counselor Xiao Qian and all other Chinese diplomats also attended the reception.

Amb. Wu Hongbo and  Gen. Abu	Senior Colonel Yang Haisheng  Gen. Abu

The reception were honored by over 350 distinguished guests. Among them were high-ranking government officials and military officers, foreign defense attachés and Chinese community leaders. Gen. Abu, Chief of Staff of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Lt. Gen. Adan, Deputy Chief of Staff (AFP), Undersecretary Carolina of the Department of National Defense (DND), Maj. Gen. Datu, Vice Commander (PAF), Assistant Secretary Ciron (DND), and Col. Holganza, Senior Military Assistant to Defense Secretary (DND) were present. Before the reception, Avelino J Cruz Jr., Secretary of National Defense sent a message of congratulations to Senior Colonel Yang.

Amb. Wu Hongbo and Philippine former first lady Imelda Marcos	One corner of the reception

The reception lasted about two hours in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests warmly congratulated Senior Colonel Yang and spoke highly of the great achievements in China's economy and military modernization in recent years. They also acknowledged China as an important force in maintaining world peace and regional stability. Philippine military officers also praised the growing bilateral relations between Chinese and Filipino militaries, and wished that the friendship and cooperation of two countries in defense and military fields would develop further.