Soldiers participating in the upcoming grand gathering at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War have pledged to safeguard national and world peace.
The gathering, which will include a military parade, is scheduled for Sept. 3. It is China's tribute to the huge sacrifices of its people in the Second World War and an opportunity to exhibit its strength in safeguarding national and world peace.
At a training base for the parade in Beijing, soldiers were practicing hard for the big day.
"I feel very honored and proud. I think this is a glory that I will never forget in my lifetime," said Zhao Zhao, a member of the People's Liberation Army's Guard of Honor.
The soldiers said they want to demonstrate the spirit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) -- a strong force not only with strict order, but also with contributions to world peace.
Among the parade, there is a formation of China's peacekeeping units. China has participated in the United Nations' peacekeeping missions for 35 years, and has dispatched over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries and regions -- it is China's commitment to the UN Charter and the post-WWII order.
"As a peacekeeping soldier taking this parade mission, I am not just an ordinary member to receive the review. I am also representing the fellow soldiers who are now conducting peacekeeping missions abroad. We are sowing peace and hope," said Shao Xiaoguang, a Chinese peacekeeper participating in the Sept. 3 parade. Other participants also echoed the wish for long-lasting world peace.
"I've conducted many missions abroad. Through them, I have deeply comprehended that most countries and people in the world love peace and hope for peace. So do we Chinese people," said Yuan Bo, a pilot of the air force formation for the upcoming parade.
The soldiers said they are paying respect to the revolutionary predecessors. Loyal and brave, they're carrying the spirit of those who laid down their lives in the war, and paving the way for peaceful development.
Soldiers training for V-Day parade pledge to uphold peace
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
