Traditions of Revolution
The red gene, traditions of revolution, is what informs the convictions of the CPC, and is embedded in the founding ideals and fine tradition of China's armed forces.
While inspecting the Lanzhou Military Zone in February 2013, Xi Jinping urged continued efforts to pass on the red gene. Addressing the Military Political Work Conference in Gutian in October 2014, he repeated the call, emphasizing the importance of boosting confidence in the military's founding ideals and keeping alive its fine tradition.
In his speech to the meeting celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA on August 1, 2017, he further explained why the red gene was important, adding that it ensured victory for the people's armed forces, stood as a testament to the CPC's leadership strengths, instilled confidence in the Party's ideals, inspired reform and innovation, boosted morale and fighting spirit, strengthened discipline, and helped build strong military-civilian relations.
At its 19th National Congress in October 2017, the CPC mandated an education campaign under the theme of "passing on the traditions of revolution and stepping up to the task of making the military strong." In June 2018 the CMC issued implementation guidelines on this topic, reiterating that passing on the red gene was meant to ensure absolute loyalty to the Party and the core leadership of the CPC Central Committee, build up confidence in socialist and communist ideals, cultivate the courage to pursue reform and innovation and to make breakthroughs, develop the service personnel's fighting spirit and tenacity to overcome heavy odds and confront any danger, enforce strict discipline, including self-discipline, and strengthen unity between the military and civilians, including promoting a culture of service to the people.
传承红色基因
红色基因，是中国共产党人的精神内核，是中国军队性质宗旨本色和优良传统的集中体现。
2013年2月，习近平视察兰州军区时提出，要把红色基因一代代传下去。2014年10月，习近平在古田全军政治工作会议上强调，要把理想信念的火种、红色传统的基因一代代传下去。2017年8月1日，习近平在庆祝中国人民解放军建军90周年大会上发表重要讲话，提出人民军队从胜利走向胜利，彰显了中国共产党领导的伟大力量，彰显了理想信念的伟大力量，彰显了改革创新的伟大力量，彰显了战斗精神的伟大力量，彰显了革命纪律的伟大力量，彰显了军民团结的伟大力量，由此对红色基因进行了深刻阐述。
2017年10月，中国共产党第十九次全国代表大会提出，在全军部队开展“传承红色基因、担当强军重任”主题教育。2018年6月，中央军委印发的《传承红色基因实施纲要》明确指出：传承红色基因，要着力锻造维护核心、听党指挥的绝对忠诚，坚定社会主义、共产主义的理想信念，强化勇于改革、敢于突破的创新意识，培育一不怕苦、二不怕死的战斗精神，严明高度自觉、令行禁止的革命纪律，巩固爱民为民、军民团结的特有优势。