Military officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the China Coast Guard on Wednesday held their respective flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate the 76th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
In the morning, Qi Jiguang training ship and Yimengshan landing ship of the 83rd Naval Fleet of the PLA Navy held a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Stonecutters Island naval base to mark the occasion.
"We raised the same national flag to wishing our motherland well together. We celebrate this holiday together with Hong Kong residents. This brings our hearts closer together more than any words could," said Zhu Weiguo, a sailor of the 83rd Naval Fleet.
Across military barracks nationwide, similar ceremonies were also held to celebrate China's birthday.
"This flag-raising ceremony is not only a heartfelt declaration of love for our great motherland, but also a renewed awakening of the mission and responsibility of our soldiers. We will always uphold loyalty as our defining feature, stick to our posts, defend our homeland, and safeguard peace and tranquility of our motherland with concrete actions," said Shi Baoqiang, a member of a brigade of the 83rd Group Army.
Meanwhile, the five-star red flag was also raised on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, on the Pamir Plateau at 3,290 meters above sea level, and at training sites on another snow-capped plateau at an altitude of over 4,300 meters.
China Coast Guard vessels conducting patrol missions on the high seas also held flag-raising ceremonies.
"This is my first time raising the national flag on the high seas of the North Pacific. I feel exceptionally proud. Before us is the national flag, and behind us is our motherland. As a vital force in international high seas governance, we will contribute to maintaining order in high-sea fisheries through every standardized law enforcement action, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of the Chinese Coast Guard to the world," said Liu Fuze, a sailor on Haimen Ship of the No. 1 Bureau of China Coast Guard.
PLA units, China Coast Guard hold flag-raising ceremonies to mark National Day
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
