China Military Media Highlights Modernization Goals Ahead of PLA 99th Anniversary

Ahead of August 1 Army Day, official military media published a commentary calling on the People's Liberation Army to advance toward its upcoming centenary goals. Marking the 99th anniversary of the military's founding, the article emphasizes strict adherence to Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and highlights the armed forces' dual role in national defense and domestic crisis response. It specifically details recent disaster relief efforts during heavy flooding caused by Typhoon Maysak in Guangxi Province, framing military responsiveness as central to civil-military solidarity.

As the PLA approaches its 2027 centenary, state military media messaging reflects the urgency of meeting key defense modernization benchmarks. By pairing calls for strategic readiness with high-profile coverage of non-military operations—such as flood relief—the commentary reinforces the military's domestic legitimacy, party loyalty, and foundational connection to public security.

In an official commentary published ahead of August 1 Army Day, state-run outlet China Military Online called on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to accelerate progress toward its upcoming centenary goals. Marking the 99th anniversary of the military's founding—tracing back to the 1927 Nanchang Uprising—the commentary highlights the slogan 'Step Forward' as both an operational command and an ideological directive for soldiers across land, sea, and air commands. The publication emphasizes the thorough implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and the military strategy guidelines for the new era, urging the armed forces to achieve the centenary goals set for 2027. This milestone forms a vital component of the broader strategy to provide strategic support for national rejuvenation. Alongside high-level strategic directives, the commentary places significant focus on the PLA's domestic civil missions, particularly recent non-war military operations. It details emergency flood relief efforts in July, when Typhoon Maysak brought heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers to Guangxi Province, causing severe conditions in areas such as Bingyang County and Guigang. Military personnel were deployed to rescue trapped residents and transport relief supplies under the guiding principle of prioritizing human life. The article draws direct parallels between current disaster response efforts and historical examples of military sacrifice during domestic crises, referencing the 1998 Yangtze River floods, the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and past typhoon relief operations. Furthermore, the piece cites military contributions to national poverty alleviation efforts, noting PLA targeted assistance to 4,100 impoverished villages and 293,000 households, along with more than 5,100 veteran officers serving in local village leadership roles. As military forces completed flood rescue missions in Guangxi and withdrew from affected areas like Guigang, local residents gathered to see off the troops, illustrating what state media describes as deep mutual trust between the public and the armed forces.