To solemnize the 85th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China, Major General XU Nanfeng, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in the USA held a reception here in Washington DC on July 26.Charge d'affairs and Mrs. DENG Hongbo together with the senior diplomats of the Chinese Embassy were present at the reception. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Peter Lavoy, together with over 500 guests from all services of the US military, government officials, foreign diplomats and military attaches, representatives from the overseas Chinese community and Chinese institutes stationed in the US attended the reception.

Major General XU made a remark titled To Enhance Friendship, Jointly Promote Peace at the reception. The guests congratulated the great achievements made by PLA in the past 85 years, expressed respect for China's national defense policy that is defensive in nature and China's contribution in promoting international and regional peace and stability. They also expressed wishes for the healthy and stable development of Sino-US military relations. The guests viewed with great interest the photo exhibition about Chinese military construction achievements at the site of the reception. The reception lasted about two hours in friendly atmosphere.