(XINHUA)

Guards of honor from China attend a military parade rehearsal in Mexico City on September 11.

The 34 members of the ceremonial unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and their peers from 15 other countries took part in a grand military review in the Mexican capital on September 16 to mark the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independence.

It was the first time that the PLA guards of honor had participated in this type of activity abroad.

As part of its efforts to increase openness, the Chinese armed forces has dispatched 10,000 service people each year to participate in international peace-keeping, medical aid and other missions in recent years.