Speaking at the parade, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "The Chinese military is able to defeat any aggressor and is determined to defend the national sovereignty, security and the interests of the country."
At the same time, the Chinese leader added that the PLA's main responsibility is to ensure that people can live in peace.
The expert pointed out that of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China contributes the largest number of military and civilian personnel to peacekeeping operations.
"China has its largest peacekeeping presence in Afghanistan, usually involving over 2,000 personnel. Such efforts give the Chinese military the experience of operating in foreign regions and in complicated situations. Thousands of Chinese personnel have been through this," Kashin said.
Moreover, according to him, peacekeeping missions contribute to strengthening China’s influence in different parts of the world, especially in Africa.
"In political terms, such activities are very reasonable," Kashin noted.
The PLA’s Navy has been involved in rescue operations. In addition, Chinese naval ships regularly visit some of the poorest developing countries, bringing medical aid to their people. The Chinese military has also taken part in dealing with the consequences of floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
"All of the above really contributes to building a positive image of the Chinese armed forces in foreign regions. One of the most memorable examples is Chinese efforts in rescue operations in Haiti which involved the People’s Armed Police Force. Those efforts received global acclaim," Kashin concluded.
In recent years, the Chinese military has been undergoing large-scale reforms aimed at improving its organizational structure and boosting its defense capabilities.
According to media reports, China's military spending is constantly increasing and the country's defense budget is the world's second-largest after that of the United States, according to media reports.
