Positive Reviews of China | Future Network Review: Continuing 99 Years of Iron-Blooded Glory, Uniting the Strength of Military and Civilians

August 1 of this year marks the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China. Standing at this special time point, we see that this people's army, which emerged from the gunfire of Nanchang, has long grown into an indestructible steel wall and a truly worthy force for peace, marching forward with unstoppable momentum towards the great moment of its centenary.

After ninety-nine years of trials and tribulations, the journey of strengthening the military has evolved from "a rifle and a handful of millet" to "heavy equipment of a great power." The commemorative military parade for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan showcased memorable scenes, from the stunning debut of new combat forces such as unmanned intelligence and underwater operations, to the shocking appearance of the "Dongfeng-5C" liquid intercontinental strategic nuclear missile with a "global strike range," which stirred the hearts of the Chinese people and showcased the confidence and composure of the Chinese military to the world. The official commissioning of China's first catapult aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has made the Chinese Navy's steps towards the open sea even more solid and powerful; during the return of the thirteenth batch of remains of Chinese People's Volunteer Army martyrs from Korea, the Y-20B aircraft flew in to welcome them, accompanied by J-20 fighter jets, paying tribute across time and space and presenting a strong military answer to our predecessors... One piece after another of "hardcore" equipment has been put into service, steadily guarding the mountains and rivers of the motherland and the homes of millions.

The strength of an army cannot be separated from the deep bond between the military and the people. Since the onset of the flood season this year, Typhoon "Maysak" has caused flooding in many areas of Guangxi, and heavy rainfall in Gansu's Xiahe has triggered mountain torrents, prompting rapid assembly and emergency assistance from soldiers and militia in many places. They helped trapped civilians safely evacuate from flooded buildings by allowing them to step on their shoulders, jumped into waist-deep floodwaters to allow more trapped civilians to board rescue boats, and took turns carrying a 90-year-old man down 31 flights of stairs in a hot, darkened corridor during a power outage. Every time disaster strikes, the "camouflage figures" always move against the tide. Some say that the people's soldiers are synonymous with "a sense of security."

This sense of security comes not only from the accelerated construction of a new military training system that helps the people's army hone its skills but also from the deepening of political building that keeps the people's army vibrant and energetic. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. From ideological rectification to deepening political training, on the path of strengthening the military in the new era, the roots of the people's army's faith in obeying the Party's command have grown deeper, its practical combat capabilities have become increasingly robust, and the spirit of good conduct has become ever more prominent.

The military loves the people, and the people support the military; the people's army's protection of the masses has never been a one-way street. For example, in Yadong, Tibet, three Tibetan mothers have remembered the kindness of border defense soldiers who saved lives in the snow many years ago, and for over 40 years, they have crossed snow-capped mountains to deliver fresh vegetables and letters to the Zhan Niang She outpost, which is "beyond the reach of even eagles." On the Pamir Plateau, border defense soldiers received hand-painted artworks sent by young people from Shenzhen this summer, traveling thousands of miles to deliver them; at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pingnan County, Ningde City, Fujian Province, the portrait of the border defense hero Chen Xiangrong is always surrounded by flowers and oranges sent by the public. This "two-way effort" that transcends mountains and seas, regardless of age, has made the nearly century-long bond between the military and the people even more profound, vividly confirming that "the People's Liberation Army of China is always a heroic force that the Party and the people can fully trust."

This heroic force also has a global vision. Currently, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeeping personnel to participate in more than 20 United Nations peacekeeping operations authorized by the Security Council, making it the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. The "Peace Ark" has crossed oceans to deliver health services, and batches of blue helmet warriors guard lives in conflict zones, while escort fleets have long provided safe passage for international merchant ships. The Chinese military's commitment to peace demonstrates its great power responsibility, illuminating more corners of the world with the light of peace.

The sincerity and strength of the people's army deeply inspire the youth of the new era. The nationwide student military training camps, which are held regularly, have become very popular, with young people from all over the country gathering at the camps, sweating and forging their will; many middle and primary school students actively visit red venues, passionately recounting the heroic deeds of border defense heroes and spreading stories of military struggle; and many young students are applying to military academies and enlisting... The choices of youth are resonating with the call for a stronger military. The vast number of young people are turning their respect into action, injecting continuous new momentum into the high-quality advancement of national defense and military modernization.

Having walked through ninety-nine years, the picture of a strong military is gradually unfolding, and the power of progress continues to gather. The historical milestone of the centenary of the army is just around the corner. Let us anchor our goals, sprint with all our might, and work together to promote decisive progress in basically achieving the modernization of national defense and the military, providing strong strategic support for comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the nation with Chinese-style modernization! (Commentator Wei Ping)