On October 5, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming held a welcoming reception for the visiting 26th Chinese Navy Escort Taskforce at the Embassy. The reception was attended by Political Commissar Xu Siqing, and over 100 officers and soldiers of the Taskforce and diplomats from the Embassy.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming with Political Commissar Xu Siqing

   Ambassador Liu first extended his warm welcome to the officers and soldiers of the Taskforce and wished them Happy Mid-autumn Festival. He congratulated the Taskforce on their successful escort mission in which they set a number of records, including the first escort task outside the Gulf of Aden, the longest escort mission, and 100% safety of ship and fleet.

   Ambassador Liu pointed out that this year marks the 45th anniversary of China-UK Ambassadorial diplomatic relationship, and it is also a year for consolidating the China-UK "Golden Era". This visit has set six records: the first-ever call by Chinese navy ships at Britain's capital city, shortage interval of three short years between two visits by the Chinese Navy fleet, the greatest number and highest ranking of British naval officers attending the event, the first-ever humanitarian rescue symposium between the two navies, the first-ever symposium between the Escort Taskforce and overseas Chinese community, and the first passage through a highly difficult 30-metre-wide lock. The British saying goes, " The Thames is a history that flows". Today, this river bears witness to the six records set by the Chinese Navy.

Ambassador Liu delivering a speech

   Ambassador Liu recalled the history when the government of the Qing Dynasty established China's first diplomatic mission – the Chinese Legation in London in 1877 and sent the first group of naval cadets to Britain including Deng Shichang, Liu Buchan, Lin Yongsheng and Ye Zugui who later became admirals. He pointed out that however brilliant the admirals were and despite their gunboats bought from Britain, they could not save the corrupt and incompetent Qing Dynasty from toppling. A hundred and forty years have passed since then, and great changes have taken place in China. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have not only gained independence, but also built a prosperous country. The Chinese military has not only been set up, but has become strong. China is now closer than ever to the centre of world stage and to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and is more capable and confident than ever to achieve this goal. As the Chinese ambassador to Britain, Liu expressed his pride in the development of the Chinese Navy and China's national defence, in the significant responsibility on his shoulders, and in the glory of his mission.

   Ambassador Liu quoted President Xi Jinping and called the navy soldiers "diplomats in uniform". He compared them to diplomats whom the late Premier Zhou Enlai referred to as "soldiers without uniforms". Although diplomats and soldiers are of different professions, they share the same mission, and should, as the Ambassador said "shoulder the same mission and responsibility and work together to make unremitting efforts to realise the Chinese dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation and make due contribution to the security of the motherland and peace of the world!"

   On behalf of the Taskforce, Political Commissar Xu Siqing delivered a speech. He expressed thanks to Ambassador Liu and the Chinese Embassy for celebrating the Mid-autumn Festival with them. Recalling the development cause of the Chinese Navy, he said that, through the unremitting efforts of several generations, the Chinese Navy has finally set out to the wider ocean and engaged in friendly exchanges with countries around the world. The Chinese Navy and Chinese Military will continue to contribute to world peace and stability.

Political Commissar Xu Siqing delivering a speech

   At the reception, the officers and soldiers of the Taskforce and the diplomats from the Embassy exchanged views on the development of the motherland, national defence and the navy, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and other topics of common interest. While enjoying the Mid-autumn Festival and looking forward to the bright future together, they expressed their sincere wishes that the motherland will be prosperous, and they will work hard in their respective fields for the realization of the Chinese dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation.