China Arab TV:
You have just mentioned that senior commanders participating in this parade has outnumbered any others before. My question is: Why is it designed in such a way? Thank you.
Cai Zhijun:
Thank you for your question. Whether at war or in peacetime, senior commanders are the key to unite, command and lead the military forces. They have been the hard core, to whom our Party has attached great importance, in an effort to educate, train and empower them with important tasks. Since the 18thCPC National Congress, and, in particular, since the Gutian Military Work Conference, the army has been infused with renewed aspiration. Senior commanders have made remarkable progress in both of their military competency and positive image, playing increasingly important roles in reaching the ultimate goals of a strong PLA and in preparation for any possible war.
The large group of senior officers in this military parade will show their strong determination to pursue victories along with their soldiers. They are supposed to develop a positive image that can work on their subordinates. They will absolutely follow the lead of the Party and have the courage to be highly conscious of their responsibilities. Just as Major General Tan said, the 60-year-olds are being trained in order to be reviewed just like those of a much younger age. What deserves to be mentioned is that there will be two female generals leading the female formation to be reviewed with their glamourous charms and valiant spirit. This is also the first time to appoint two female generals in the parade. Thank you.
China Daily:
Mr. Cai just mentioned the military parade this time is of a large scale, and my question is how the centralized training was organized and operated? Thank you.
Tan Min:
A military parade is an important part of state celebrations, and centralized training is a basic preparation made to guarantee the quality and effect of the activity. The training can improve the military competence of both the officers and ordinary soldiers that was cultivated at ordinary times, strengthen their consciousness and discipline in obeying orders and commands, temper the invincible will and courage to form mighty and vehement momentum, demonstrate their firm belief in being loyal to the Party and obeying its orders in the new era, and show the determination and confidence of building a first-class army in the world.
The centralized training of the ground phalanxes was practiced at the Nankou Training Base outside of the Sixth Ring Road in Beijing; and that of the air echelon formation was conducted at several airports in the areas surrounding Beijing. It was implemented in three phases. The first one was basic training conducted in a single formation so as to build a solid basis and realize neatness and uniformity. The second phase was group training involving the organization of 15 foot formations, 32 armament formations, and 12 air echelons to conduct, respectively, overall practices, thus guaranteeing a smooth transition and achieve strong cohesion. The third phase was the rehearsal involving all-element and all-procedure training, and focused on practicing commanding, synergy, following procedures and guaranteeing support, so as to enhance cooperation and coordination of all elements and ensure a solid connection and unhindered collaboration.
PLA Daily:
A battle flag phalanx will be presented during the military parade. What's the intention behind the design?
Cai Zhijun:
Thank you for your question. With an aim to display our armed forces' brilliant history and achievements with one victory after another, the battle flag phalanx selected representatives from all categories of the military force and the armed police force that had won honors and great merit, so as to express reverence to those who record great feats in each period, and spur all the officers and ordinary soldiers to maintain and promote the fine traditions of an unflinching and invincible spirit.
We mainly took several aspects into account. First was to enhance public memory of our Party and armed forces. A battle flag can be deemed as an epic entitlement. The battle flag phalanx will showcase battle flags of the troops that were honored and showed great merits during the periods of the Agrarian Revolution, the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation and the time after the founding of the People's Republic of China so as to let us remember the hard, yet brilliant experience of our Party and armed forces and bear in mind the struggle undergone by our armed forces in developing from small beginnings into a mighty military. Second, we wanted to cherish the memory of the revolutionary martyrs and heroes. Just as a lyric goes: "Why is the battle flag so beautiful? It was painted by the blood of heroes." The phalanx selected battle flags named after renowned martyrs and heroes to express our respect for them. Third, we want to enhance public admiration for medals and titles of honor. Seeking honor and achieving great feats are a fine tradition of the people's forces. Organizing the phalanxes can help all the officers and soldiers inherit those fine traditions, remain true to the Party's original aspirations and keep its mission firmly in mind, focus on building a strong military, and accomplish new feats and achievements in the new era.
CNN:
Someone pointed out that the new type weaponry displayed during the upcoming military parade can expand the strike and surveillance scope of the China's armed forces, making it harder for American aircraft carriers to get closer to China's military sphere. Considering that American warships and military aircraft have kept passing through and over the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, many American personages in the military and political circles appear to be treating China as the main strategic competitor. What signal does the parade presentation aim to release this time?
Wu Qian:
Thank you for your question. I got your meaning. The question focuses on whether China's presentation of new type weaponry is "flexing its muscles." In the development of China's armed forces, some personages or forces always spark false speculation. They have flawed logic that China's armed forces exhibiting weaponry is "flexing its muscles," but if they do not exhibit it, they would be blamed for lacking transparency. The best way to deal with such logic is to focus on our own missions with steely resolution. Over the past 70 years, the development of the China's armed forces is obvious to all. We had no intention, nor felt the need to flex our muscle through a military parade. Over the past 70 years, the world also witnessed the contributions made by the China's armed forces. The stronger we become, the more contributions we can make to world peace. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the China's armed forces will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, proactively serve in building a community with a shared future for humanity, and march forward on the road of building a strong military with Chinese characteristics.
