A new layout of the structure of Chinese armed forces will be displayed for the first time at the upcoming V-Day military parade, according to a press conference on Wednesday.
Wu Zeke, a deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade and a senior officer of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, made the announcement at the press conference on preparations for the military parade.
Reform is the drive for a strong military, and a strong military underpins a strong country, Wu said.
"Last year, the PLA set up the information support force, and adjusted accordingly the administrative relations between the aerospace force and the cyberspace force. As a result of the reform, the PLA has basically formed a new layout of service branches and arms under the leadership of the central military commission, including four services, namely the army, navy, air force and rocket force, and four arms, namely the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force and joint logistics support force, representing a significant stride in building a modern military force with Chinese characteristics," he said.
"To demonstrate these arrangements and the reform, we have made plans in three aspects. The first is optimized structure in military forces. Like I just said, we have already released the new flags of the newly established forces just before Aug 1. The military flag is a flag that beckons the troops to fight, and it is also the symbol of the PLA. The refinement of the military flag system signifies the maturation of the military force structure. So in the upcoming military parade, the formations will carry their respective military flags and the flag of the People's Armed Police Force, which is a showcase of our comprehensive military strength," Wu said.
"The second is that the ratio of new quality forces in the new domains is on the rise. In addition to the four strategic arms in the foot formations, which represents new quality forces itself, we have also arranged new types of combat forces like unmanned, underwater, cyber and electromagnetic forces in the armament formations. The third is the more optimized system of armed forces, which not only include in-service PLA forces, but also the armed police force, the reserve force and the militia force, which together form an armed force system with the characteristics of our own military," he added.
New structural layout of Chinese armed forces to debut at V-Day parade
New structural layout of Chinese armed forces to debut at V-Day parade
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
