Three decades of reform and opening-up have not only witnessed China's economic takeoff, but also the accelerated modernization of its national defense. Meanwhile, military observers around the world have found that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, one of the world's largest armies, is becoming more and more open and transparent.

In line with China's peaceful foreign policies and defensive national defense policy, the PLA has stepped up exchanges and enhanced cooperation with its foreign counterparts over the past years.

Every year the Chinese army is engaged in a variety of interactions with scores of foreign armies, such as exchange of high-level visits, defense security consultations, exchange of observers, joint military exercises, exchange of students and trainees, and communications between military academies. It also plays an active role in international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions.

China's active military diplomacy has helped enhance mutual understanding and trust between armies of various countries, and promote good relationship with its neighboring countries. It is also conducive to world peace and common development of mankind.

1) Warship of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force visits China for the first time.

The Chinese Navy holds a welcome ceremony for a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer, which comes to China for the first time on June 24, 2008. Chinese and Japanese military officers and sailors visit each other's warships during the activity. Photo: Zha Chunming/ Xinhua

2) The United States Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Convay, sits on a Chinese amphibious vessel on April 3, 2008 to watch the anti-terrorism drills by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Marine Corps. Photo: Zha Chunming /Xinhua

3) Heavy equipment of the Chinese army leaves the country for the first time on July 27, 2007 for a joint military exercise to be held in Russia. Photo: Li Gang /Xinhua

4) Warships from China and France in formation during a joint exercise code-named "China-France Friendship 2007", held in the Mediterranean Sea on Sept. 25, 2007. Photo: Zha Chunming/ Xinhua/

5) The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Chinese Navy takes part in an international exchange activity.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Chinese Navy and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Russian Navy stage a joint performance at St. Petersburg on Aug. 31, 2007.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Chinese Navy, which has visited about 40 countries and regions, is dubbed "a friendly messenger practicing music diplomacy". Photo: Zha Chunming/ Xinhua

6) Chinese and Indian military officers and soldiers in a joint anti-terrorism exercise code-named "Hand by Hand 2007". Photo: Li Gang/Xinhua

7) The PLA Marine Corps demonstrate their combat skills in front of military attachés to China from 56 countries. The head of the foreign military attachés Corps, who is from Britain, chats with female marines after the demonstration. Photo: Xinhua

8) Foreign military attachés to China observe a military exercise of the PLA at Queshan County in central China on Sept. 25, 2004. Photo: Li Gang/ Xinhua

9) Military personnel from the six member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization play tug-of-war during the break of a joint military exercise on Aug. 8, 2007. Photo: Li Gang/ Xinhua

10) The Chinese army participates in international peacekeeping missions.

PLA officers and soldiers are ready to board a military plane heading for Lebanon on Sept. 3, 2007. The peacekeeping missions they are assigned to in Lebanon include minesweeping and explosives clearance, engineering, health and logistics guarantee, as well as delivering humanitarian aid. Photo: Tang Houyun/ Xinhua