Nuclear Political Work

The Crimson Party Flag Like a Beam of Light in the Deep Sea, Illuminating the Heart of Every Submarine Officer and Soldier

红彤彤的党旗如深海中的一束光，照亮了每名潜艇官兵的心房

PLA Daily (解放军报) 29 June 2026

Summary

A Northern Theater Command Navy submarine brigade published a special 'Combat Bulletin' marking the CCP's 105th founding anniversary, featuring accounts from Senior Master Sergeant Zhao Feng and Corporal Yang Zunyan that frame patrol endurance, typhoon operations, and a weapons trial completed one month ahead of schedule as expressions of Party loyalty. The article documents the brigade's standard political work format for anniversary periods — oath ceremonies, 'underwater coming-of-age' rituals, and commissar reflections — and its value is as a record of how the submarine force institutionalizes Party-loyalty framing around operational milestones, not as evidence of changed readiness or posture. The reference to a brigade record for long-distance voyage missions at 'shortest interval time and highest completion standard' is the one operationally specific claim worth noting, as it fits a broader pattern of Northern Theater Navy submarine units publicizing increased patrol tempo.

Translation

The Scarlet Party Flag Illuminates the Path Through the Deep Sea

■ Dong Cunjin, PLA Daily Special Correspondent Mao Lin

Officers and soldiers of a submarine brigade of the Northern Theater Command Navy solemnly swear an oath before the Party flag. Photo by PLA Daily Special Correspondent Mao Lin

In the deep sea, a mission submarine of a submarine brigade of the Northern Theater Command Navy glides forward on patrol.

On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Party, submarine officers and soldiers specially produced an issue of a special "Combat Bulletin" (战斗快报). On its pages, a vivid splash of red stands out prominently.

"This Party flag carries a special significance," said Senior Master Sergeant (一级军士长) Zhao Feng, pointing to a photograph beside the draft text as he recalled the past. That year, the submarine was ordered to proceed to an unfamiliar sea area to carry out a patrol mission. On the eve of departure, Zhao Feng and his comrades swore an oath before the Party flag: "Resolutely complete the mission, defend the motherland to the death!"

The moment the submarine arrived in the target sea area, it came face to face with a typhoon. During an emergency surfacing to recharge, the submarine rolled to nearly 40 degrees; even many veteran sailors were left dizzy and vomiting, unable to straighten themselves up.

The oath sworn beneath the Party flag gave the officers and soldiers the courage to battle the wind and waves. Under harsh conditions, everyone pressed forward without fear of hardship, fighting shoulder to shoulder, and ultimately completed the mission successfully. Afterward, the officers and soldiers specially preserved this Party flag. "The boat is under my control, and I follow the Party's command!" Zhao Feng said with conviction.

In the depths of the ocean, where no sunlight reaches, the crimson Party flag is like a beam of light in the deep sea, illuminating the heart of every officer and soldier.

One day during a training break, comrades held an "underwater coming-of-age ceremony" (水下成人礼) for Corporal (下士) Yang Zunyan beneath the Party flag.

"Congratulations on successfully completing your first long-distance voyage mission aboard the submarine!" the commanding officer solemnly placed a glass bottle in Yang Zunyan's hands. "On this voyage, we collected seawater from the deepest dive point. This is an exclusive recognition of your steadfast performance at your post throughout the entire mission and your successful completion of all communications support tasks."

The scarlet Party flag hung on the bulkhead, casting a red glow on Yang Zunyan's face. He said with emotion: "From today, I am a qualified submariner. I will write loyalty and responsibility with my youth and blood!" Witnessed by the Party flag, a bottle of special "deep-blue water" became the most weighty memento on Yang Zunyan's path of growth.

"Only a combat collective that is loyal to the Party and strong and capable can be invincible and undefeated in every battle," the submarine's political commissar reflected. That year, the submarine's Party branch led the officers and soldiers to set a brigade record for submarine long-distance voyage missions with "the shortest interval time and the highest completion standard"; during the submarine's mooring trials, in order to complete the mission as early as possible, the submarine's Party branch took the lead in tackling the hardest problems, averaging only four hours of sleep per day, and completed a certain type of weapons trial one month ahead of schedule.

The submarine travels ten thousand li with hearts turned toward the Party; in the depths of the ocean, there is no losing one's way. Submarine officers and soldiers, through the foundational loyalty of always following the Party's command, the character of responsibility that is always oriented toward combat (向战而行), and the pursuit of faith in willingly dedicating themselves to the nation, have forged an indestructible "underwater Great Wall of Steel."

Original Chinese

鲜红党旗照亮深海之路 ■董存金解放军报特约记者茆琳北部战区海军某潜艇支队官兵向党旗庄严宣誓。解放军报特约记者茆琳摄深海之中，北部战区海军某潜艇支队一艘任务潜艇游弋前行。建党105周年之际，潜艇官兵特意制作了一期特殊的《战斗快报》。版面上，一抹鲜艳的红色格外亮眼。 “这面党旗有着特殊的意义。”一级军士长赵峰指着稿件旁的图片忆起过往。那年，潜艇受命赶赴某陌生海域执行巡逻任务。出航前夕，赵峰和战友们面向党旗宣誓：“坚决完成任务，誓死保卫祖国！” 刚一抵达目标海域，潜艇便正面遭遇台风。紧急上浮充电时，潜艇横摇接近40度，就连不少老兵都被晃得昏昏沉沉，吐得直不起身。党旗之下喊出的那句誓言，为官兵增添了战风斗浪的勇气。恶劣条件下，大家不惧艰险、并肩作战，最终圆满完成任务。后来，官兵专门将这面党旗珍藏起来。“艇由我操纵，我听党指挥！”赵峰坚定地说。大洋深处，不见阳光，红彤彤的党旗如深海中的一束光，照亮了每名官兵的心房。那日训练间隙，战友们在党旗下为下士杨尊严举行了一场“水下成人礼”。 “恭喜你，圆满完成首次随艇远航任务！”艇长将一个玻璃瓶郑重递到杨尊严手中，“本次出海，我们收集了最深下潜点位的海水。这是对你全程坚守岗位、顺利完成各项通信保障任务的专属肯定。” 鲜红的党旗悬挂于舱壁，映红了杨尊严的脸颊，他激动地说：“从今天起，我就是一名合格的潜艇兵，我会用青春与热血书写忠诚与担当！”党旗见证下，一瓶特殊的“深蓝之水”，成为杨尊严成长路上最具分量的纪念。 “一个忠诚于党、坚强有力的战斗集体，才能所向披靡、战无不胜。”该艇政委感慨，那年，艇党支部率领官兵创下支队潜艇执行远航任务“间隔时间最短，完成标准最高”的纪录；在潜艇系泊试验期间，为尽早完成任务，艇党支部带头攻坚，每天平均睡眠时间只有4个小时，提前1个月完成某型武器试验…… 艇行万里心向党，大洋深处不迷航。潜艇官兵用始终听党指挥的忠诚底色、时刻向战而行的担当品格和甘愿以身许国的信仰追求，铸造了坚不可摧的“水下钢铁长城”。