President Xi Jinping addresses the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping at the UN Headquarters in New York City in September 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

World's largest military force has seen role in global governance grow substantially since its founding nine decades ago

Since 2002, the People's Liberation Army has taken part in many dangerous and arduous humanitarian and relief missions in countries such as Lebanon, Pakistan, Djibouti, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, the PLA Navy has successfully performed its duties in protecting commercial vessels from pirates for nine years.

In its attempt to play a bigger role in global governance, the PLA has been pushing forward international military cooperation to give China greater influence on the global stage, participating in a series of international duties, such as peacekeeping, anti-piracy patrols, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Addressing the UN Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping in New York City in September 2015, President Xi Jinping pledged that China would build a standby peacekeeping force of 8,000 troops to help strengthen UN peacekeeping operations.

With Aug 1, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, approaching, China Daily has chosen a selection of photos to showcase the PLA's efforts in military diplomacy and participation in international duties over the years.