The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) stands ready to participate in the Victory Day military parade scheduled for May 9 on Moscow's Red Square, pledging to deliver a powerful message of remembering history, honoring heroes, cherishing peace and forging the future.
The PLA Guard of Honor squad, comprising 119 officers and soldiers, is in Russia for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The team arrived in Russia on April 24 and will remain in the country through May 10, with appearances planned in both Moscow and Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on May 9.
This year marks the third time for the PLA Guard of Honor to take part in Russia's Victory Day parade, following its debut in 2015. The team has come to represent not only military discipline and professionalism, but also China's commitment to peace and historical remembrance on the global stage.
The PLA Guard of Honor officers and men are now engaged in intensive rehearsals for their upcoming performances, and they hope to convey China's enduring message of "remembering history, honoring heroes, cherishing peace and forging the future."
"When I led the team down the streets of Moscow, the roadsides were packed with overseas Chinese and students, and the air was filled with their cheers and shouts," said Liu Chao, a PLA Guard of Honor soldier.
"Marching through the streets of Moscow, our formation joined overseas compatriots in singing Ode to the Motherland, and a deep sense of national pride and honor surged within my heart," said Guo Xingzhong, another soldier.
"People were so close to our formation that I instinctively reached out to cover the gunpoint to shield the crowd from any potential wound," said fellow soldier Liang Hao.
For Cui Hangteng, a color guard, and Wang Zihe, a national flag bearer, they both hold deep symbolic weight in escorting and carrying the Chinese flag in the formation.
"When I saw numerous overseas Chinese holding the national flags, I felt that our faith lies in the national flag. It carries the dreams and hopes of each member of the Chinese nation. The national flag flying high is the warmest source of strength in this mission," Cui said.
"When I held the sacred flag aloft, I was lifting more than just a piece of flag. It was a symbol of strength, honor, and the unyielding backbone of the Chinese nation. Our firm belief is rooted in the great spirit of struggle forged by countless revolutionary martyrs with their blood and lives. This weighty mission fills me with passion and pride," said Wang.
Local residents were also impressed by the sense of discipline demonstrated by the PLA Guard of Honor.
"I saw the PLA Guard of Honor dressed in uniform on the Red Square today. Their discipline and presence made me feel the strength of the Chinese military," said Maria Nikolayevna Mastelova, a Moscow resident.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Wednesday to begin a four-day state visit to Russia and attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
PLA Guard of Honor to join Victory Day parade in Moscow
PLA Guard of Honor to join Victory Day parade in Moscow
