Photo: Global Times

Editor's Note:

August 1, 2025 marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Over the past 98 years, the people's army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has made indelible contributions to national independence, liberation of the people and national prosperity. It has fought in the Agrarian Revolutionary War, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation, and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. It has fulfilled its defense duties in Hong Kong and Macao in accordance with the law, effectively responded to various threats to national security, resolutely cracked down on all forms of separatist and sabotage activities, and actively participated in foreign military exchanges and cooperation as well as UN peacekeeping operations. Practice has fully proved that the people's military is a strong pillar for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and a staunch force for maintaining world peace.

The book series of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China includes several important speeches on adhering to the path of strengthening the military with Chinese characteristics. In the article "Continue to Strengthen Our Military" included in Volume II of the book series, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that the military must resolutely safeguard the Party's leadership and our socialist system, our sovereignty, security and interests, and regional and world peace.  

In Volume IV of the book series, Xi said when delivering an important speech during a ceremony marking the Centenary of the CPC that the achievements of the people's military on behalf of the Party and the people have been remarkable. It is a strong pillar that safeguards our socialist country and preserves national dignity, and a powerful force for protecting peace in our region and beyond. 

In the ninth installment of the special series "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the Global Times, along with People's Daily Overseas Edition, explores the theme: following a Chinese path to military development, the Chinese military has always been a staunch force for world peace. We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi's works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to discuss how, in the new era, the people's army fulfills its mission of building a strong military, practices the Global Security Initiative with concrete actions, takes on the responsibilities of a major country's military, and continuously makes greater contributions to maintaining world peace and stability.

Here are the stories:

1. Practitioners' Insights: From Sudan's deserts to global stage, Chinese peacekeepers embody the power of stability

2. Scholars' Perspectives: China advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security: Lieutenant General

3. Translators' Voices: China champions a new path toward security, emphasizing dialogue, partnership and win-win co-op

4. Readers' Reflections: China's military modernization 'remarkable', bolstering its vital role as global peace stabilizer