New flags of PLA's four branches put into use

New flag patterns of four branches of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), namely the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force and joint logistics support force, were put into official use on the occasion of China's Army Day that falls on Aug. 1.

The release of the branch flags marks the establishment of a military flag system of the people's army in the new era, comprising the PLA flag, the flags of the army, navy, air force and rocket force, as well as the flags of the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force and joint logistics support force.

The PLA flag is displayed when PLA units carry out combat missions, hold formation ceremonies, enlistment or retirement oaths, major military trainings, disaster-relief operations, naval escort missions and other important military actions, as well as during parades, inspections, key commemorations, memorial ceremonies, major holiday assemblies, and foreign-related guard-of-honor ceremonies.

The branch flags are normally used during anniversary celebrations and in guard-of-honor ceremonies for foreign delegations undertaken by army units with foreign-affairs missions, and may also be carried in major national or military parades.

Military flags are the combat flags of the PLA, the emblem of the PLA, and the symbol of its honor, courage, and glory. All military personnel must respect, cherish, and safeguard the flags.

No organization or individual may use the flag patterns without authorization. When they are used, it must be done solemnly and respectfully with no alterations allowed.

It is forbidden to use the flags or their patterns for commercial advertising or in any decoration or setting that would compromise their dignity.

The Central Military Commission (CMC) has issued a decision to adjust the current trial regulations on the administration of military flags, revising provisions on the types and usage of military flags to standardize their management and safeguard their dignity through legal measures.

New flags of PLA's four branches put into use

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reaffirmed that they will not seek normalization of ties with Israel, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's call for the two countries to join the Abraham Accords.

Saudi Arabia's position on the Palestinian issue remains unchanged, a Saudi source told Al Arabiya TV on Monday.

The source affirmed the need for "an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state".

The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Muslim-majority and regional countries to normalize relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords before the U.S. reaches a peace agreement with Iran.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan will not join any agreement to normalize ties with Israel, adding that the country will not accept any deal that "conflicts with its fundamental ideologies".

Trump on Monday urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan -- countries involved in mediating U.S.-Iran talks -- to immediately join the Abraham Accords, warning that otherwise they should not participate in the mediation.

He added that if a U.S.-Iran deal is reached, Iran should also join the agreement.

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States in 2020 during Trump's first term, were established between the Israeli government and Arab countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, aimed at rapidly advancing the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries.

Before the outbreak of the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, the United States had been pushing for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

After the conflict erupted, Saudi Arabia suspended normalization talks with Israel.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan reject Trump's Abraham Accords demand