Four strategic forces of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army -- the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and joint logistics support force -- will make their first collective debut at the upcoming Victory Day parade, proudly bearing their newly unveiled flags.
Scheduled for Sept 3 in Tian'anmen Square of downtown Beijing, the military parade will mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), issued an order to unveil the flag designs of the four branches ahead of the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Aug. 1.
The release of the branch flags marks the establishment of a new-era military flag system for the People’s Army, comprising the PLA flag; the flags of the army, navy, air force, and rocket force; as well as those of the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and joint logistics support force.
The aerospace force will be the first of the four strategic arms to be reviewed. Xu Xi, flag-bearer of its formation, says he feels inspired and excited at the honor.
"In this parade, bearing the dedication of the older generation of aerospace workers and the achievements of the new generation, it is a great honor for me to carry the flag of the aerospace force past Tian'anmen Rostrum and receive the review of the commander-in-chief," said Xu.
Soldiers of the cyberspace force are redoubling their training, eager for their moment in the parade.
"Chinese soldiers long for peace but are also committed to guarding it with their strength. We will not only demonstrate our confidence and determination with resounding steps, but also use our capabilities and strength in this new domain to defend the peace and security of China’s cyberspace," said Wang Liquan, an officer with the cyberspace force formation.
Though drawn from different posts across the nation, soldiers of the information support force formation march in synchronized, steady strides, displaying their valiant and heroic bearing.
"As a new quality force born from the wave of military reform, the information support force has been drawing strength from the great spirit of the resistance against Japanese aggression. All soldiers work together and strive to be the best," said Yang Sen, an officer with the information support force formation.
The joint logistics support force has a unique and eye-catching formation, as both male and female soldiers will march together in desert camouflage at the V-Day parade.
"An elite soldier is not defined by gender, and the battlefield makes no distinction of rank. Every one of us carries both the duty to fight and the mission to provide support. We hold to the same standards, we march in the same rhythm. From simple repetition we forge excellence; through meticulous refinement we craft perfection," said Zhang Lin, an officer with the joint logistics support force formation.
The PLA’s new system of services and arms, comprising the four services -- army, navy, air force, and rocket force -- and the four arms -- aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and joint logistics support force -- has been established as part of Xi’s military reform plan.
PLA’s four strategic arms to make their debut with new flags in upcoming parade
