A contingent of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAP) will join the September 3 grand military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The PAP parade unit includes security sentinels, counter-riot specialists, maritime patrol force troops and emergency rescuers. Since assembling for intensive drills, it has consistently ranked among the top infantry formations and was repeatedly chosen to carry out demonstration exercises.
Qu Cong, commander of a company known as the "Brave and Battlewise Company" of the Qiongya Column -- a Chinese Communist Party-led guerrilla force active in the southern island of Hainan during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, which fought in isolation for years and became known for its tenacity and sacrifice -- said joining the parade is an honor to inherit the spirit of perseverance.
"On that lonely island, [our forebears] fought with extraordinary perseverance. As the current commander of the Brave and Battlewise Company of the Qiongya Column, I always firmly believe that I shoulder the mission and task of inheriting the spirit of the Qiongya Column and fulfilling our mission of participating in this military parade," Qu said.
The parade, set to take place in the iconic Tian'anmen Square, will honor the heroic legacy of the 14-year War of Resistance and showcase the strength and unity of modern China.
"We are now in the final sprint [of the V-day parade training]. On the day of the 80th anniversary, we will march with full spirit and utmost precision in the parade to proudly receive the Party and the people's review," said Cui Xiaowei, commander of the PAP parade unit.
People's Armed Police undergo rigorous training 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
