The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers selected into the field army formation to march in the grand V-Day military parade in Beijing on September 3 are training wholeheartedly for the glorious mission, carrying on the iron will of their revolutionary predecessors.
Scheduled to take place in Tian'anmen Square of downtown Beijing, the military parade will mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) and the World Anti-Fascist War. In the grand parade, the PLA field army formation will join other formations of the Chinese armed forces to walk 96 meters in unison in front of the Tian'anmen Square.
"I often imagine myself as part of the revolutionary fighters during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and imagine those difficulties as the enemies we have to fight against," said Wu Meikang, a PLA soldier selected into the field army formation to participate in the parade.
Eighty years ago, in the flames of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Communist Party of China-led forces, backed by simple weaponry and poor supplies in the style of "millet and rifles", arduously fought the Japanese aggression troops backed by aircraft and cannons, defeating the invaders. Today, on the military parade training ground, the silver glow of the new-style rifles' bayonets and the resounding sound of the stock hitting the body are accompanying the new generation of army officers and men in hard training for the grand parade.
"We have moved from victory to victory, and I firmly believe that we will achieve greater victory. We as the current generation are fully capable of and confident in defeating all invading enemies and resolutely defending our motherland and people," said Ma Rui, flag bearer of the PLA field army formation to participate in the military parade.
Army soldiers train wholeheartedly for upcoming V-Day military parade
Army soldiers train wholeheartedly for upcoming V-Day military parade
Army soldiers train wholeheartedly for upcoming V-Day military parade
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
