Young female soldier playing key role on 10,000-tonne Chinese destroyer

A young navy soldier from north China's Hebei Province has shared her experience as a weapons operator on one of China's most advanced warships, the Type 055 Destroyer Yan'an, and told of her journey of ambition and responsibility.

Huo Chuanfeng, who comes from the city of Cangzhou, was assigned to the ship after graduating from the Dalian Naval Academy. She says she was awestruck when she first encountered the 10,000-tonne giant.

"In 2019, I enrolled in the Dalian Naval Academy after passing the national college entrance examinations, majoring in missile technology. This is my second year in the Navy, and my sixth year since I enlisted. When I first reported for duty, I saw the 10,000-ton destroyer for the first time, it felt like facing a giant towering in front of me. At that moment, I was totally astonished," said Huo.

Now, Huo is serving as a weapons operator, who is, in her own words, the controller of "the fists of the giant."

"When I learned that my first assignment would be on the most advanced destroyer in our country, I was really excited and felt incredibly fortunate. Now, I am in the weapons department, responsible for the operation of weapons and equipment, which is essentially the 'fist' of our 10,000-ton destroyer. What many might not realize is that the 'fist' of the 10,000-ton destroyer is actually in the hands of someone like me, a girl born after 2000," said Huo.

Huo's husband, also a Navy soldier, serves on a different ship. Though their time on the warships often keeps them apart, their shared commitment and responsibility of defending their country keeps them closely connected.

"I met my husband during our student years, and we both joined the military. After joining the military, I was assigned to the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer, and he was assigned to the Type 054A frigate. Our time at sea exceeds 200 days a year, and we have little time to meet. Often, we are separated by vast seas, looking at each other's position on the nautical chart and thinking of one another. Once, while on duty, we happened to be in the same fleet. The Type 055 Destroyer serves as the carrier's escort, while the 054A-type frigate is also tasked to escort the carrier. The word "escort" has another layer of meaning for me—it's not only about protecting all the others but also protecting me and my family," said Huo.

The Type-055 Destroyer Yan'an is an iconic warship in the Chinese Navy, bearing the name and enduring legacy of Yan'an, the revolutionary cradle of the Communist Party of China (CPC). For Huo and her colleagues, the Yan'an, one of its most reliable stalwarts on the sea, is not only safeguarding their individual dreams and futures, but also carrying a shared wish of all: China's reunification. Referring Taiwan as a child leaving home, Huo expressed their shared expectations that Taiwan, the child who left home long, can return early.

"The 10,000-ton destroyer carries the dreams of many people. I hope these dreams can all come true and that the child who left home will return soon. The future will certainly fulfill our wishes," said Huo.

Young female soldier playing key role on 10,000-tonne Chinese destroyer

Residents in the Iranian capital Tehran have been forced to abandon their homes due to the continuing aerial bombardment from U.S. and Israeli attacks, with many worried about the damaging impact a prolonged war could have on their families.

The U.S. and Israeli began striking Iran on Saturday, with the attacks killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials, and claiming the lives of more than 1,200 Iranians as of Thursday.

Iran has retaliated with a series of counterattacks against U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East region, as concerns now mount about the conflict widening.

Amid the intensifying attacks, residents of Tehran felt they were left with no choice but to get out of the capital as missiles continued to rain down.

Among them was a local woman named Nahid, who, after reaching a safer location, shared her experience of fleeing the city, describing the fear and urgency that drove her decision.

"We left Tehran because of the war. We heard that Israel had attacked, and there were loud sounds and heavy bombardments. We left the city because we have children, and we were afraid they might get hurt or become terrified," she said.

Despite the current crisis, Nahid also spoke of a sense of resilience which remains among the people.

"There was absolutely no shortage of food. The shops and chain stores were all open and fully stocked. There was no shortage of food supplies. But we say that now we must stand firm and respond to Israel and foreign countries, so that it won’t be the case that whenever they wish, they can attack our homeland. We must show greater endurance and patience for the sake of our country," she said.

Another resident, Ensie, also recalled the sense of horror as missiles struck near her home.

"It was one of the most terrifying memories of my life. Because of the intense anxiety, I just kept running and trying to escape. I was coughing and my heart was racing. I didn't know what had happened. I just couldn't stop running," she said.

Ensie also spoke of the far-reaching impacts of the war, highlighting its toll on both the economy and people's mental health.

"War is terrible in every way. Financially, in terms of economic losses, and psychologically, especially because of its effects on adults and children. These are impacts whose consequences might only appear years later. No one likes war," she said.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said on Thursday that 105 civilian sites and facilities in the country had been attacked by the U.S. and Israel since the outbreak of the conflict.

The IRCS also noted 1,332 attacks had been recorded at 636 locations across Iran since Saturday, with damage reported at 14 medical and pharmaceutical institutions.

Iranian families forced to evacuate Tehran as US-Israeli strikes continue