A Glimpse of the Chinese Sailors Who Marched on a Coconut Island Night — A Firsthand Account of Our Escort Task Force Personnel Participating in the Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles' Independence
Chinese Sailors on a Coconut Island Night — A Firsthand Account of Our Escort Task Force Personnel Participating in the Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles' Independence
■ Du Jiangfan, Tan Zhenzhen
On the evening of June 28 local time, Victoria Harbor in Seychelles was bathed in swaying coconut breezes and brilliant lights. A parade ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' independence was held with great fanfare at the National Stadium. At the invitation of the Seychellois government, 30 officers and enlisted personnel from the Chinese Navy's 48th Escort Task Force formed a marching contingent, took their place among the international parade formations, and displayed the vigorous bearing of the People's Navy in the new era beneath a foreign night sky, writing a new chapter in the friendly relations between China and Seychelles and between their two militaries.
At 9 p.m., the celebratory parade officially commenced. Under the glow of the lights, the officers and enlisted personnel of the Chinese Navy contingent stood tall in spotless white dress uniforms, drawn up in neat formation.
At around 11 p.m., the march-past began, with military music resounding powerfully. As the vanguard of the foreign military formations, the Chinese Navy contingent stepped in time, advancing with firm and precise strides, heads held high. The formation held a perfect line viewed from the side, from the front, and from the diagonal — a unified whole. The brilliant lights illuminated their white uniforms, composing a scene of martial dignity and solemnity.
The resounding footfalls struck the ground and shook the entire venue. Thunderous applause erupted from the viewing stands; local residents and overseas Chinese waved the flags of both China and Seychelles, their sincere cheers and repeated enthusiastic shouts carrying both respect for the Chinese military and the deep friendship between the two peoples.
"The Chinese Navy is strictly disciplined, highly professional, and carries itself with exceptional bearing — truly impressive." "This is the most precise and most imposing formation I have ever seen!" Officers and enlisted personnel of the Seychelles Defence Forces who were present to watch the ceremony offered praise one after another.
The officers and enlisted personnel felt a deep sense of honor at participating in this parade. "We underwent rigorous training in order to display the image of Chinese servicemembers on the international stage," said Jiang Shengyi, the contingent's lead officer. In the lead-up to the event, the personnel selected for the parade made use of every gap between escort duties to squeeze in extra drills on the ship's decks and passageways. As the hull pitched and rolled, team members meticulously calibrated their alignment; as sea winds buffeted them, they repeatedly refined their movements, honing every detail to the highest standard — all to march out beyond the nation's borders and set a benchmark.
After the parade concluded, Jiang Shengyi remained moved: "This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles. That we were able to leave this deep-blue imprint on behalf of the Chinese Navy on the parade ground of Seychelles' independence celebrations carries extraordinary significance, and we feel immensely honored."