Military parade leaves mark on visiting officials
Print Edition
Three residents from Putuo District were fortunate enough to attend the military parade held on September 3 in Beijing which marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
These residents were: Zhang Xingru, director of Putuo District Liqun Hospital and deputy director of Putuo Central Hospital; Xu Zhigang, deputy director of the Putuo Public Security Bureau’s Office of Population Affairs; and Chen Dehua, a community police officer from Taopu Police Station.
All three say the message of President’s Xi Jinping’s speech left a deep impression on their minds, as did the parade itself and other events honoring the sacrifices of the Chinese people during the war.
The veteran formation was another memorable part of the parade. Xu said this display led him to reflect on the hardships faced by these and millions of other soldiers during 14 years of war.
“I saw their strong spirit to resist aggression and protect the country. How precious are the peaceful days we enjoy now! We should bear in mind the great truth of history and appreciate their sacrifice and the peaceful present,” said Xu, a former soldier.
Zhang noted that many veterans from the United States and Russia who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Chinese people against the Japanese invaders were also among the inspection delegation.
Zhang, Xu, and Chen all said that the key word of the event was “peace” — a word mentioned 18 times in President Xi’s speech — while the grand celebration itself was meant to symbolize China’s peaceful development as a major player in today’s world.
Chen was also impressed by the 500 pieces of military hardware on display during the parade. “When the tanks, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles passed, it was such a magnificent scene. I was shocked, speechless. Our self-developed equipment shows the advanced development of the military industry and our increasing overall national strength with a greater impact on the world.”
As for President Xi’s announcement that China’s military would be cut by 300,000 troops and promise to never seek hegemony or expansion, Xu observed: “This shows our military might ... it is China’s aim to maintain world peace and prosperity, which will benefit the restructuring of our armies and improve quality. It will help bolster the country’s economy and social development once the resources are better utilized.”
For all three, the trip to Beijing was an unforgettable experience. “It is an honor shared by all staff in the medical care and sanitation system of Shanghai as well as the 1.3 million residents living in Putuo,” said Zhang.
Xu attended the parade as one of 60 national model officers who were transferred to civil assignments from the military. “The honor not only belongs to myself, but also belongs to all the transferred officers like me and policemen in Putuo,” he said.
Chen was sleepless the night before the V-Day parade. “I got up at 4:30am and put on my uniform. I arrived at Tiananmen Square around 7am. When the choir sang revolutionary songs, I felt a surge of emotions inside. When it played the national anthem, the atmosphere became heated. It was such a touching scene that I was tearful.”
While several weeks have already elapsed since the big day, the trio say the event continues to inspire them to do better at their own jobs.
“As an eye doctor, I will do my best to bring light to the blind and help more patients, devoting myself to them,” said Zhang.
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