TEHRAN - The Chinese embassy in Iran celebrated the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at the place of the embassy in Tehran on Sunday night.

The ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials and diplomats from Iran, China, and some other countries as well as military attachés.

Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Cong Peiwu and Defense Attaché Senior Colonel Hu Xiao delivered speeches at the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Brigadier General Mohammad Ahadi, the Iranian Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for International Cooperation, congratulated the Chinese people on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and said, “China has passed a difficult and successful path in the way of progress, and today, due to this successful progress and its rich historical background, it has an important position in the international arena, and the Chinese army has definitely played an important role in this way.”

“The relations between the two countries have always been based on mutual interests and respect, and as Mr. Ambassador said, the relations between the two countries are developing,” he added.

“And the 25-year comprehensive document between the two countries can be considered a milestone in this field, and we hope that this document will be fully implemented,” Brigadier General Ahadi further noted, underlining that Iran’s new president has emphasized the development of relations with China.

This year, China’s Army Day, which falls on August 1, marks the 97th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

As reported by Xinhua, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed solid efforts to better serve and support ex-service personnel before the country celebrates its Army Day.

In an instruction on veterans affairs, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, described ex-service personnel as “a precious treasure” of the Party and the country.

Xi emphasized the importance of making military service an honorable occupation and ensuring that ex-service personnel enjoy respect from the whole society.

Photo: Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Cong Peiwu (on tribune), Chinese Defense Attaché Hu Xiao (L), and Iranian Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Brigadier General Mohammad Ahadi (1st R)