Power of the people should be the pride of parade

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By Xiong Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-01 07:52

In three months from now, we'll watch a military parade we have missed for 10 years. The parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), according to available reports, will be the most spectacular in our history.

The media have started interviewing military experts to report the highlights of the parade, and let readers and viewers know what new weapons and special troops they can expect to see on Chang'an Avenue on October 1. The People's Liberation Army's (PLA) maneuverability and combat ability will be on display, too.

Many people think that a military parade is the best way a country can display its strength and accomplishments in economy, science and technology, and defense.

China has held 13 military parades on its National Day during the past 60 years. While most of the weapons and equipment on display in the first military parade on October 1, 1949, were imported ones captured during the liberation war, 95 percent of those showcased in the last parade (in 1999) were sophisticated domestic products. The progress New China made on the defense front in its first half century was indeed phenomenal.

But as the PRC turns 60, I wonder if we should still hold onto the old concept of demonstrating our strength at such parades. The PLA has always fought against forces that have been better equipped, and is known for its capability to subdue enemies seemingly much superior to it.

Given this fact, no matter what modern weapons we display at the upcoming parade, they are not likely to match the standards of the most advanced ones other countries possess. They could demonstrate the progress our defense industry has made in the past decade, though.

On the other hand, we should understand that our strength does not necessarily lie in displaying our weapons and defense equipment. The era when nations demonstrated their strength and preparedness, and boosted their morale through fascinating display of weapons has passed.

That's why I'm more interested in something "old" instead of new weapons. I wish to see if the PLA is carrying on its fine old tradition, forged in the decades of revolutionary wars dating to the Red Army years. I wish to see if the PLA still has the indomitable spirit.

These old things are more important than new weapons, new uniforms and new tactics, irrespective of whether they are based on mechanization or information.

I am overjoyed at the proposal to include in this year's parade some veteran soldiers who fought the revolutionary wars. I have seen World War II veterans parading in Russia and other countries to celebrate the anniversary of their victory over fascist forces. For me, those have been the most touching and beautiful scenes of such celebrations.

That is something we have to learn, and this is the right time for that. Our veteran soldiers are the best examples of the fine old tradition the PLA should follow.

Count from August 1, 1927, when the Communist Party of China led the Nanchang Uprising to establish the people's armed forces, our forerunners fought arduously for 22 years before liberating the country in 1949. The veterans deserve to be saluted at victory celebrations, and the blood they and their comrades have shed should never be forgotten.

Of course, the veterans are old and may be too weak to march through Chang'an Avenue. But they can be carried in a motorcade in a special formation. The formation of veteran soldiers, expected to wear the uniform of their times, should lead the parade because their contribution to the motherland is unparallelled.

Letting the veterans lead the parade will not only remind us of our trials, tribulations and triumphs, but also show we value our people and their deeds more than our weapons.

(China Daily 07/01/2009 page9)