Special Issue Commemorating the 105th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China | The Party Flag Leads the Way, We March Forward with Great Strides

From the day of its birth, our military has pressed forward through hardships under the guidance of the Party flag, fighting without cease for national independence, the liberation of the people, and the prosperity of the country. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, with an eye toward realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, has clearly put forward the goal of building a strong military (强军目标) in the new era. Under the firm leadership of the Party, the People's Army has deepened its pursuit of building the military through politics (政治建军), strengthening the military through reform (改革强军), strengthening the military through science and technology (科技强军), strengthening the military through talent (人才强军), and governing the military according to law (依法治军), comprehensively intensified combat training and war preparedness, achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformations in national defense and military construction, and the path of building a strong military with Chinese characteristics (中国特色强军之路) has grown ever broader.

Forging ahead into the new era, officers and soldiers throughout the military have cast the military soul (铸牢军魂), shouldered heavy burdens with courage, and resolutely fulfilled the mission tasks entrusted to them by the Party and the people. Moments frozen in light and shadow — one scene of struggle after another — have been forged into unforgettable marks of the era.

Where the Party flag points, the military flag follows! On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, we have selected a group of vivid images reflecting the People's Army's transformation and reshaping and its struggle to build military strength, showcasing the new bearing and bold spirit with which officers and soldiers throughout the military march forward with courage under the guidance of the Party flag. Each image of a strong military is a record of history, and more than that, a declaration of the times as the People's Army strides forward toward the centenary goal of army building (建军一百年奋斗目标): on the great journey of national rejuvenation, officers and soldiers throughout the military press forward with vigor and carry on the struggle without pause, vowing to write anew a glory worthy of the era!

— The Editors

On September 3, 2025, a grand military parade was held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Photo by PLA Daily reporter Li Xuemei.

On September 25, 2024, the Rocket Force successfully launched one intercontinental ballistic missile into waters of the Pacific Ocean. Photo by PLA Daily special correspondent Liu Mingsong.

In July 2024, the Party branch of the First Guard Company of the Zhuhai Detachment, People's Armed Police Guangdong General Corps, was commended by the People's Armed Police Force as an "Advanced Grassroots Party Organization." Situated at the forefront of reform and opening up, the company's officers and soldiers have maintained their purity and honor and forged a "red outpost" (红色前哨) with hearts firmly devoted to the Party. Photo by PLA Daily reporter Zhang Lei.

In December 2025, the Eastern Theater Command conducted the "Justice Mission-2025" (正义使命-2025) exercise in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island. Pictured are Air Force aircraft formations participating in the exercise executing simulated strike missions. Photo by Chen Jie.

In November 2022, the Central Propaganda Department conferred the title of "Model of the Era" (时代楷模) upon the "Xinghuo" (星火, "Spark") theoretical outreach service political instructor group of the Army Engineering University. Pictured is Li Xuan (center), a member of the "Xinghuo" group, answering questions from military academy students. Photo by Yang Hong.

In October 2024, the Liaoning and Shandong carrier formations conducted their first dual-carrier formation exercise, honing and enhancing the integrated operational capabilities (体系作战能力) of the carrier formations. Photo by Chen Mengxi.

On January 7, 2025, following the Dingri earthquake in Tibet, officers and soldiers of a unit under the Shigatse Military Sub-district rapidly engaged in disaster relief operations. Photo by Wang Qian.

In 2019, Bai Xiaoying, an associate professor at Tsinghua University, answered the call of the dream of building a strong military (强军梦) and became a civilian employee of the military. As deputy director of a research center at the Academy of Military Sciences, Bai Xiaoying (front center) leads her team in tackling difficult problems and has achieved multiple research results. Photo by PLA Daily reporter Wang Jun.

Layout design: Zhao Yahui. Masthead design: Fang Han, Yang Lei.