Taiwan Strait Turmoil, Military Aid to Vietnam Against France, Military Aid to Vietnam Against the US, Border Demining Operation - Military Archives - A Chronicle of Major Military Events in New China

Author: Zhang Lin, Cheng Xiulong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The army is the defender of national interests and territorial sovereignty. A strong nation must have a strong army. With the growth and development of the People's Republic of China, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) under the leadership of the Communist Party of China has continuously advanced on the path of regularization and modernization, forging a unique path of building a strong and well-trained army with Chinese characteristics. Over the 50 of the People's Republic of China, the PLA has always maintained its heroic spirit, making great contributions to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the motherland, maintaining national unity, and upholding world peace. Looking back, the major and significant events in the military life of the new China are vividly remembered, and the glorious image of the PLA leaps off the pages.
In the late 1960s, the Soviet Union invaded China's territory on the Ussuri River border, sparking strong indignation among the Chinese people. The PLA fought bravely, defending the territorial integrity of the motherland with life and blood. This small-scale border conflict holds great significance. It demonstrated to the world that the era when foreign powers arbitrarily seized Chinese territory and oppressed the Chinese people has long passed. Today's People's Army has the confidence and capability to defend the territorial integrity of the motherland, refusing to yield an inch, and resolutely striking at any external aggressors. The Chinese people love peace. When the actions of hegemonists threatened world peace and the security of our country, the PLA demonstrated great heroism and perseverance in the arduous struggle of the Korean War, the Vietnam War against France, and the Vietnam War against the United States, delivering a heavy blow to the hegemonists.
At a time when hegemonists were engaged in an arms race, the Chinese government announced in the 1980s the reduction of its army by one million, demonstrating to the world that China is a vital force in maintaining world peace. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China's territory since ancient times, and achieving national reunification is the common aspiration of the Chinese nation. For over 50 years, the sound of artillery across the Taiwan Strait has continued for more than 20 years, with large-scale military exercises constantly held. The PLA has always maintained a strong military deterrent against any forces and separatists that hinder national reunification, with unwavering determination and powerful military strength, warning those with ulterior motives: any attempt to split the motherland will be crushed to death under the iron fist of the People's Army.
These military events may have been experienced firsthand or known through secondhand accounts, but not everyone may be clear about the origins and developments of each event. The documentary book we have launched attempts to provide a detailed record of the domestic and international backgrounds, high-level decision-making, specific details, and outcomes of these major events in the military life, in order to praise the glorious tradition of the PLA's bloodshed and hard struggles, celebrate the meritorious achievements of this army in establishing and consolidating the people's regime, safeguarding the territorial integrity of the motherland, and maintaining world peace, thereby enriching the historical and military knowledge of, enhancing national defense awareness, and consciously cherishing and safeguarding the hard-won peace environment today.
The writing of "A Record of Major Events in the Military Life of the New China" spanned nearly three years, with the authors being scholars, professors, writers, and journalists in the military. Most of them are over half a century old and have worked in the army for decades, witnessing and participating in the major and significant events of the new China's military life. The stories told in the book are mostly based on their personal experiences. Some of the authors were participants or frontline correspondents during the border and coastal defense battles; others lived and worked on China's borders and coastal lines for a long time, sharing hardships with the soldiers and experiencing the military life firsthand; others worked for many years in high military academies, engaged in military and political teaching, as well as the study of Party history and military history. It can be said that this book is the result of their long-term accumulation and meticulous research. We believe that the events recorded by the authors will pique people's interest, broaden their knowledge, and inspire them to think deeply.
Of course, due to the limitations of the authors, there may be errors and omissions in the book, and we sincerely invite the readers to point them out. During the writing process, the leaders and editors of Hunan People's Publishing House provided enthusiastic support and guidance, from determining the title to how to write this book. Here, we would like to express our special gratitude to them.
The construction of the People's Liberation Army has continued to develop with the pace of the times. We will continue to pay attention to every major event in the military life and dedicate the results of our ongoing research and study to the readers.