Modernization Political Work

The Advanced Deeds of "Model of the Era" Wang Ji Spark Warm Responses Across the Armed Forces and Society at Large

“时代楷模”王戟先进事迹在全军部队和社会各界引起热烈反响

PLA Daily (解放军报) 4 August 2026

Summary

On July 29, the Central Propaganda Department awarded Wang Ji, a computer science researcher at the National University of Defense Technology, the title 时代楷模 ('Model of the Era'), triggering a coordinated study campaign that reached units from CMC organs to grassroots companies, including a brigade of the 71st Group Army conducting radar testing and a Rocket Force unit completing a combat launch training exercise, as well as the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, the Army Research Institute, and the Air Force Research Institute. The campaign documents the PLA's standard use of individual exemplar figures to drive political-ideological work (政治工作) across the force, with Wang Ji's framing—physically disabled researcher who prioritized independent innovation in defense technology—tailored to reinforce the institution's current emphasis on 新质战斗力 (new-quality combat capabilities) and self-reliance in key core technologies. The article is a record of how official military media constructs and propagates a loyalty-and-sacrifice narrative for both internal military audiences and the broader public; it provides no evidence of a capability or posture change.

Translation

Recently, Wang Ji, a researcher at the College of Computer Science of the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), was awarded the title "Model of the Era" (时代楷模) by the Central Propaganda Department. After his advanced deeds were widely reported by the PLA Daily and other media outlets, they sparked warm responses across the armed forces and society at large. People expressed in succession that they would take Wang Ji as a model and forge ahead with vigor and determination on the new journey of building a strong nation and a strong military.

"Wang Ji is an advanced exemplar who resolutely heeds the Party's command and is devoted to strengthening the military through science and technology; an outstanding representative who strives without cease until his last breath, courageously scaling the heights of science and technology; and a vanguard of the era who stands firm at his post and faithfully fulfills his mission." From organs of the Central Military Commission (CMC) down to grassroots companies and platoons, from scientific research institutes to the front lines of exercises and training, units at all levels across the armed forces swiftly organized officers and soldiers to study Wang Ji's advanced deeds through television, radio, the internet, and other means, and to carry out thematic study sessions, symposiums, and exchanges. Officers and soldiers across the board expressed that Wang Ji's journey of struggle—physically disabled yet unbroken in will, devoted to strengthening the military—is a soul-stirring heroic ode and a vivid teaching material that spurs one to press forward, setting a spiritual benchmark for all officers and soldiers to stand firm at their posts and render meritorious service in the military.

As the place where Wang Ji fought and worked, NUDT swiftly set off a wave of study. The university's Party committee took the study of Wang Ji's advanced deeds as an important lever for forging the soul and cultivating people (铸魂育人), convened a special meeting at the first opportunity, and rapidly deployed study and education activities, guiding each unit to use thematic study sessions, discussions, and exchanges to lead the broad ranks of teaching and research personnel to transform their enthusiasm for study into concrete action devoted to strengthening the military through science and technology and courageously overcoming difficulties.

"Wang Ji's advanced deeds vividly embody the noble character of military educators and science and technology workers who are devoted to cultivating virtue and nurturing talent (立德树人), training for war (为战育人), courageously scaling new heights, and forging a shield for the nation." Faculty and staff across NUDT expressed in unison that Wang Ji is an outstanding representative among the new-era inheritors of the "Harbin Military Engineering Institute" (哈军工) spirit; his advanced deeds are a vivid reflection of the university motto spirit of "cultivating virtue and broad learning, strengthening the military and revitalizing the nation" (厚德博学、强军兴国); they must draw spiritual strength from the exemplar's deeds, pass the red genes from generation to generation, and genuinely shoulder the sacred mission of cultivating virtue and nurturing talent, and training for war. Yan Shen, a young instructor from the School of Systems Engineering currently carrying out a mission on the front lines of exercises and training on an island, said: "'Only by conducting frontier research is it easier to discover the frontier'—these words of Wang Ji moved me deeply. The so-called 'frontier' is not only in the laboratory but also amid the smoke and fire of battle. We will anchor ourselves to the frontier, keep close to actual combat, and with an unyielding assault posture contribute to the development of new-quality combat capabilities (新质战斗力)."

Charging toward the high ground of independent innovation in national defense science and technology is destined to be an arduous trek full of thorns, challenges, and solitude. In recent days, units including the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, the Army Research Institute, and the Air Force Research Institute swiftly organized study activities. Scientific research personnel expressed in succession that they would take Wang Ji as a model, forge the original aspiration of serving the nation through scientific research into the cause of strengthening the military, and throw themselves into the practice of independent innovation in national defense science and technology with an assault posture. "Wang Ji's perseverance has profoundly clarified what it means to 'take the call of the motherland as the direction of one's advance.'" Ma Tian, a senior engineer at a research institute under the Academy of Military Sciences, said: key core technologies cannot be begged for, bought, or borrowed—the drive for independent innovation must absolutely be fought for, and this battle must absolutely be won. "Wang Ji's spirit of self-reliance and self-strengthening in scientific research work inspires us to press forward in the face of difficulties in key technology domains, courageously scaling new heights, and providing powerful scientific and technological support for achieving victory in aerospace." Yang Rennong, a professor at Air Force Engineering University, stated that only by, like Wang Ji, boldly venturing into "uncharted territory" (无人区), willingly sitting on the "cold bench" (冷板凳), and daring to gnaw on "hard bones" (硬骨头), can we achieve independent and controllable mastery of key core technologies and firmly hold the initiative in innovation and development in our own hands.

Different posts, the same charge. From inland frontiers to the open ocean, from blue-sky exercise grounds to missile launch positions, Wang Ji's advanced deeds continue to spread through barracks after barracks, inspiring officers and soldiers to throw themselves into training and war preparations with an even more spirited bearing.

On a southeastern island, officers and soldiers of a brigade under the 71st Group Army are conducting inspection and testing of a new type of radar. During a training break, Staff Sergeant Third Class (三级军士长) Qi Wentao said: Wang Ji's relentless drive to overcome difficulties with a strong sense of mission inspires us to stand firm at our posts and render meritorious service in the cause of strengthening the military. On the northwest plateau, a combat launch training exercise by a Rocket Force unit had just concluded; Senior Corporal First Class (一级上士) Zheng Haiyang said: we must take Wang Ji as a model—tenacious in the face of difficulties, daring to shoulder heavy responsibilities when they arise. Wang Yibo, an officer of the People's Armed Police Qinhuangdao Detachment, said: as the goal of achieving the centenary of the founding of the military draws near, we have reached the moment when "difficulties are greatest just as success is within reach" (将成功之时，其困难最甚); the more we approach a critical juncture, the heavier and more arduous the tasks, the more we must take Wang Ji as a model—cherishing patriotism in our hearts, steadfastly pursuing the aspiration to serve the nation, and honing the ability to strengthen the country—forever preserving the spirit of struggle and the heart of a devoted son of the motherland, and truly shouldering the new-era mission and tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.

Wang Ji's noble character shines like brilliant stars, moving everyone around him. "As members of the medical team that once treated Wang Ji, we have a direct and personal sense of his spirit and character." Ge Yongchun, a deputy chief physician at the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital, said with emotion after seeing the reports on Wang Ji's deeds that Wang Ji's posture of fighting against fate made him understand that a physician's ultimate pursuit is precisely to not let down every tenacious life. A former student of Wang Ji left these words in a WeChat Moments post: "My doctoral dissertation was revised word by word by Professor Wang on his sickbed. I deeply admire Professor Wang—the title 'Model of the Era' is thoroughly deserved!"

The figure charging forward from a wheelchair has moved not only officers and soldiers across the armed forces but also the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. On July 29, a public service text message brought the name of "Model of the Era" Wang Ji into the view of hundreds of millions, and related topics rapidly climbed to the top of internet trending searches, with countless netizens moved and inspired by this "ever-charging scientific research vanguard soldier" (冲锋不止的科研尖兵). Netizens left comments in succession: "We don't understand his knowledge, but his vision and tenacity command our deepest admiration"; "Two legs support the uprightness of our bodies; only loyalty and faith can support the loftiness of a person's spirit"…

In Changsha, Hunan, a themed light show "Learning from Comrade Wang Ji, 'Model of the Era'" was presented in rotation along both banks of the Xiang River and around Juzi Island; from core landmarks to streets and alleyways, a tribute network covering the entire city rapidly spread. Community workers, grassroots officials, enterprise employees… countless ordinary people read in Wang Ji's story that patriotism is the deepest emotion and struggle is the most beautiful posture.

With his charge and perseverance, Wang Ji has composed a battle song of a new-era revolutionary soldier devoted to strengthening the military through science and technology. His advanced deeds have further ignited the soaring fighting spirit of officers and soldiers across the armed forces. People expressed in succession that they would take Wang Ji as a model—steadfast in ideals and convictions, deeply rooted in love for the nation and homeland, tempering their will and character—charging without cease and striving without rest at their respective posts, daring to be the first and forging ahead with determination, welcoming the centenary of the founding of the military with a new bearing and outstanding achievements.

Original Chinese

日前，国防科技大学计算机学院研究员王戟被中宣部授予“时代楷模”称号。他的先进事迹经解放军报和其他媒体广泛报道后，在全军部队和社会各界引起热烈反响。大家纷纷表示，要以王戟为榜样，在强国强军新征程上踔厉奋发、勇毅前行。 “王戟是坚决听党指挥、矢志科技强军的先进典型，是生命不息、奋斗不止，勇攀科技高峰的优秀代表，是立足本职岗位、忠诚履行使命的时代先锋。”从军委机关到基层营连，从科研院所到演训一线，全军各级迅速组织官兵通过电视、广播、网络等形式学习王戟先进事迹，开展专题学习、座谈交流等活动。广大官兵一致表示，王戟身残志坚、矢志强军的奋斗历程，是一曲震撼人心的英雄赞歌，是一部催人奋进的生动教材，为全军官兵立足本职、建功军营立起精神标杆。作为王戟战斗工作的地方，国防科技大学迅速掀起学习热潮。该校党委把学习王戟先进事迹作为铸魂育人的重要抓手，第一时间召开专题会议，迅速部署开展学习教育活动，指导各单位通过专题学习、讨论交流等形式，引导广大教研人员把学习热情转化为矢志科技强军、勇于攻坚克难的实际行动。 “王戟的先进事迹，生动诠释了军队教育和科技工作者矢志立德树人、为战育人，勇攀高峰、为国铸盾的高尚品格。”国防科技大学广大教职员工一致表示，王戟是“哈军工”精神新时代传人中的优秀代表，他的先进事迹是“厚德博学、强军兴国”校训精神的生动写照，要从榜样的事迹中汲取精神力量，把红色基因一代代传下去，切实肩负起立德树人、为战育人的神圣使命。正在海岛演训一线执行任务的系统工程学院青年教员颜深说：“‘只有做前沿的研究，才更容易发现前沿’，王戟的这句话让我深受触动，所谓‘前沿’不仅在实验室里，更在炮火硝烟中，我们将锚定前沿、紧贴实战，以持之以恒的攻坚姿态助力新质战斗力建设。” 向着国防科技自主创新高地冲锋，注定是充满荆棘、挑战和寂寞的艰苦跋涉。连日来，军事科学院、国防大学、陆军研究院、空军研究院等单位迅速组织学习活动，广大科研人员纷纷表示，要以王戟为榜样，把科研报国的初心熔铸在强军事业中，以冲锋姿态投身国防科技自主创新实践。“王戟用他的坚守深刻阐明，什么叫‘把祖国的召唤，当作前行的方向’。”军事科学院某研究所高级工程师马天说，关键核心技术要不来、买不来、讨不来，自主创新这口气一定要争，这场仗一定要打赢。“王戟在科研工作中自立自强的精神，激励我们在关键技术领域迎难而上、勇攀高峰，为制胜空天提供有力科技支撑。”空军工程大学教授杨任农表示，只有像王戟一样勇闯“无人区”、甘坐“冷板凳”、敢啃“硬骨头”，我们才能实现关键核心技术自主可控，才能把创新主动权、发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手中。不同的战位，同样的冲锋。从内陆边陲到远洋大海，从蓝天演训场到导弹发射阵地，王戟的先进事迹在座座军营持续传播，激励广大官兵以更加昂扬的姿态投身练兵备战。东南某海岛，第71集团军某旅官兵正对某新型雷达展开检验测试。训练间隙，三级军士长亓文涛表示，王戟以强烈的使命感不断攻坚克难，激励我们立足本职岗位、建功强军事业。西北高原，火箭军某部一场战斗发射训练刚刚结束，一级上士郑海洋表示，我们要以王戟为榜样，困难面前坚韧不拔，重任当前敢于担当。武警秦皇岛支队干部王一博表示，实现建军一百年奋斗目标到了“将成功之时，其困难最甚”的时候，越是到了紧要关头，越是任务艰巨繁重，越要以王戟为榜样，胸怀爱国之心、笃行报国之志、砥砺强国之能，永葆奋斗精神，永怀赤子之心，真正担负起党和人民赋予的新时代使命任务。王戟高尚的人格，如同璀璨的星辰照耀、感动着身边的每一个人。“作为曾经救治过王戟的医疗团队成员，我们对他的精神品格有着直观的感受。”东部战区总医院副主任医师葛永纯看到王戟的事迹报道后，动情地说，王戟与命运抗争的姿态让他体悟到，医者的极致追求正是为了不辜负每一个坚韧的生命。王戟曾经的学生在微信朋友圈留下这样一段话：“我的博士论文是王老师在病床上一个字一个字改出来的，非常敬佩王老师，‘时代楷模’称号当之无愧！” 轮椅上冲锋的身影，不仅感动着全军官兵，也打动着亿万人民的心。7月29日，一条公益短信让“时代楷模”王戟的名字走进亿万人的视野，相关话题迅速登上网络热搜，无数网友被这位“冲锋不止的科研尖兵”所感动、所激励。网友纷纷留言：“他的知识我们不懂，但他的格局与坚韧让人深深敬佩”“双腿支撑起我们身形的挺立，忠诚与信仰，才能支撑起一个人精神的高远”…… 在湖南长沙，“向‘时代楷模’王戟同志学习”主题灯光秀在湘江两岸、橘子洲周边轮番呈现，从核心地标到街头巷尾，一张覆盖全城的致敬网络迅速铺开。社区工作者、基层干部、企业职工……无数普通人从王戟的故事中读懂了：爱国是最深沉的情感，奋斗是最美丽的姿态。王戟用冲锋与坚守，谱写了一曲新时代革命军人矢志科技强军的战歌。他的先进事迹，进一步激发了全军官兵的昂扬斗志。大家纷纷表示，要以王戟为榜样，坚定理想信念，厚植家国情怀，砥砺意志品质，在各自岗位上冲锋不止、奋斗不息，敢为人先、锐意进取，以崭新面貌和优异成绩迎接建军一百周年。