Editor's note: Zheng Haizhen, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an assistant researcher at the Department for Global Governance and International Organization Studies, China Institute of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This year marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). On August 1, 1927, a single gunshot in Nanchang proclaimed the birth of a new type of people's army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). That shot symbolized a glimmer of hope for revolution amid the darkness and ignited a resilient spirit for national rejuvenation. Since then, the people's armed forces, under CPC leadership, have remained deeply intertwined with the fate of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

From the battles of Jinggang Mountains and the Long March, from the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression to the War of Liberation, from safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity to carrying out disaster relief and protecting people's lives and property, from selflessly supporting China's economic and social development to actively contributing to regional and global peace, the PLA has achieved one glorious victory after another and made indelible contributions to the Party and the people.

Strong armed forces secure a strong nation

China stands at a critical juncture in its journey from a major country to a strong one. The country is closer than ever to making the goal of national rejuvenation a reality, while also facing unprecedented risks and challenges. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and its philosophy on strengthening the military, the PLA has forged ahead on the path of building a strong military with Chinese characteristics, achieving historic accomplishments and transformations.

To comprehensively advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, strong national defense and a modernized military are essential. The modernization of national defense and the armed forces provides strategic support for upholding the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, protecting China's overseas interests and promoting world peace and development.

Safeguarding world peace: A responsible major country's commitment

In a world undergoing profound changes and turbulence, China firmly stands on the right side of history and the side of human progress. With the stability of China as a source of certainty, the country injects positive energy into a world marked by uncertainty. This is both a solemn promise and a firm action.

The PLA, guided by the vision of peace, earnestly adheres to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Through concrete actions, it contributes to peace by participating in UN peacekeeping operations in over 20 countries and regions, dispatching more than 50,000 peacekeepers in total.

Defending global maritime security and providing humanitarian assistance

As of early March this year, the Chinese Navy had completed 1,659 escort missions, ensuring the safe passage of over 7,300 Chinese and foreign vessels and rescuing or assisting nearly 100 ships – more than half of which were foreign vessels – thereby safeguarding the secure and smooth flow of vital international shipping lanes.

The PLA Navy's hospital ship Peace Ark, on its Mission Harmony-2024 journey, returned to Gabon in Africa after seven years. Its Bright Action initiative, focused on treating eye diseases, was a key part of its mission. Over the course of 215 days and more than 30,000 nautical miles, the Peace Ark visited 13 African and Asian countries and provided humanitarian medical services, treating over 80,000 patients – setting records for both mission duration and number of countries visited.

Serving the building of a community with a shared future for humanity is the global significance of China's national defense and the historical mission of the PLA in the new era. All evidence shows that the PLA's modernization is fundamentally defensive in nature and aligns with China's vision of peaceful development.

The Chinese military fulfills its international duties with integrity and promotes international military cooperation in the new era, standing firm as a reliable force for peace and stability worldwide.

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