PLA Units and Public React to 'Role Model' Award for NUDT Researcher Wang Ji

Following the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China conferring the 'Role Model of the Times' title on Wang Ji, a researcher at the National University of Defense Technology's College of Computer Science, military units across China have launched study campaigns. Reports by China Military Online highlight widespread responses from border outposts in Tibet to naval vessels and air force duty rooms. Personnel and academic staff are utilizing Wang Ji's story—overcoming physical illness while continuing defense research in a wheelchair—to reinforce political education and operational dedication across various defense posts.

The publicity surrounding Wang Ji underscores the Central Military Commission's effort to motivate both military researchers and frontline operational units by showcasing individual resilience and dedication to technological modernizing goals.

The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has conferred the title of "Role Model of the Times" on Wang Ji, a senior researcher at the National University of Defense Technology’s College of Computer Science, according to state media reports published by China Military Online. The official recognition was accompanied by broad media coverage, including public welfare text messages distributed on July 29, 2026, detailing Wang’s life story. Wang, who carries out critical computer science research from a wheelchair while battling chronic physical illness, has been highlighted by official outlets as an exemplar of perseverance and dedication to China's technological defense capabilities. Following the announcement, People's Liberation Army (PLA) units across multiple levels—from Central Military Commission departments to grassroots companies, defense academies, and operational bases—organized formal study sessions, televised group viewings, and seminars to discuss Wang's example. At the National University of Defense Technology, where Wang serves on the academic staff, the university’s Party Committee convened dedicated leadership meetings to incorporate his story into institutional political education and candidate training programs. Coverage by state military outlets emphasized responses from personnel across diverse operational sectors. At a remote border defense outpost in Medog, Tibet, infantry soldiers operating in high-altitude conditions drew comparisons between Wang's struggles in academic research and their physical duty of patrolling treacherous terrain. Overseas, personnel aboard the hospital ship 'Peace Ark' during deep-sea operations watched specialized television broadcasts about Wang, framing his information technology research alongside maritime medical and logistics support duties. Additional discussions were held among Air Force pilots stationed along the Yellow Sea coast, who reflected on pushing operational equipment limits during training, and instructors at the Army Engineering University, who highlighted the role of academic role models in shaping future officers. Throughout these campaigns, state media framed Wang’s resilience as a benchmark for bridging defense research with operational readiness across air, land, and naval domains.