Ceremonial gunners of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Beijing Garrison have been practicing their cannon loading and firing operations day after day, so as to present synchronized and neat gun salutes at the upcoming V-Day military parade.
Scheduled for Sept 3 in Tian'anmen Square of downtown Beijing, the military parade marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Each artillery piece is with three saluting gunners. They all have different tasks: the third gunner takes a 3.5-kg cartridge from the rack and hand it to the second gunner. After the second gunner takes over the cartridge, he will load it into the artillery piece within just 1 second. After firing, the first gunner needs to unbolt and eject the cartridge case.
"The second gunner, who is also the chief for each artillery piece, is responsible for loading and passing cartridges while supporting the other two gunners," said Li Kun, an officer with the PLA Beijing Garrison.
To ensure synchronized and accurate movements during the whole saluting process, gunners need to practice same operations up to 1,000 times a day.
"The key to gun salute lies in accurate maneuvers, verve and courage. We require every team member to demonstrate mastery in their skills and to possess unwavering courage and boldness, even in the face of falling mountains and splitting earth," said Li Jinzhu, an officer with the PLA Beijing Garrison.
Meticulous practice ensures synchronized, neat gun salute for upcoming military parade
Meticulous practice ensures synchronized, neat gun salute for upcoming military parade
Meticulous practice ensures synchronized, neat gun salute for upcoming military parade
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
