Military Leaders From China

"After making a thorough analysis and appraisal of each man, we switched over to combat training, during which “officers teach soldiers, soldiers teach officers, and soldiers teach each other.” Officers and soldiers taught and learned from one another in earnest."

"The U.S. occupation of Korea, separated from China by only a river, would threaten Northeast China. Its control of Taiwan posed a threat to Shanghai and East China. The U.S. could find a pretext at any time to launch a war of aggression against China. The tiger wanted to eat human beings; when it would do so would depend on its appetite. No concession could stop it. If the U.S. wanted to invade China, we had to resist its aggression. Without going into a test of strength with U.S. imperialism to see who was stronger, it would be difficult for us to build socialism. If the U.S. was bent on warring against China, it would want a war of quick decision, while we would wage a protracted war; it would fight regular warfare, and we would employ the kind of warfare we had used against the Japanese invaders."

"We are determined to overthrow imperialism and the Kuomintang government, form a government of workers, peasants and soldiers; confiscate the land of the landlords and give it to the peasants. We will establish a Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, in which officers and men are equal, the officers are elected by soldiers’ committees, and the accounts are kept open."

"I hold that the Hundred Regiments Campaign was a military success. Especially after the Anti-Friction Battle, we had to organize such an anti-Japanese campaign to show that we had to oppose frictions for the sake of resisting Japanese aggression. Only thus could we win over large numbers of middle-of-the-roaders. At that time only by seizing the advantage of a weakly defended enemy rear to launch a vigorous surprise attack could we deal blows at the enemy and restore vast expanses of anti-Japanese base areas. It was not easy to organize such a campaign in a unified and planned way under the condition of dense networks of enemy blockhouses. Our victory helped expose the deceptive propaganda of the Japanese invaders and Chiang Kai-shek. It was also necessary for the accumulation of revolutionary strength."

"There was a certain degree of lopsidedness in the development of the iron and steel industry. People stressed the construction and development of processing and material industries but neglected the raw material industry to some extent. The raw material industry provided the foundation for the material and processing industries. If the foundation were unstable, the development of the processing industry would be impeded."

"On the Korean battlefield, the Chinese People’s Volunteers and the Korean People’s Army fought shoulder to shoulder to help each other like brothers. Fighting together for three years, the Chinese People's Volunteers and the Korean people and the Korean People’s Army built up a militant friendship sealed in blood. The feeling of internationalism between our two peoples became even more profound."

"Signing the armistice, I thought that the war had set a precedent for many years to come — something the people would rejoice at. It was a pity, however, that having established our battlefield deployment, we were unable to deal greater blows against the enemy."

"Don’t believe the good words of a man uttered in ordinary times; his action in an emergency will tell what sort of a man he is."

"The companies of my battalion had undergone training in the winter, and there were now members of the Save-the-Poor Committee in every company. After going through the discussions on the current situation conducted from the first to the third moon, the men and officers in my battalion had a better understanding of the Northern Expedition. They no longer feared it now, but were pleased to see it happen."

"He was a man who struck terror into the hearts of the enemy. He was loyal to the Party and politically incorruptible. He led a simple life and maintained a down-to-earth style of work. These qualities which have won him our lasting respect also set an example for our future generations. It goes without saying that he had his weaknesses, too. For example, being very strict and forthright, he at times gave way to rashness. But he was bold enough to admit his mistakes and correct them."

"Most of the officers and men in the PLA had their own histories of blood and tears. Since everybody had kept his bitter experience to himself, the soldiers’ common hatred for the enemy did not turn into a common class feeling."

"Born at a time when human history was moving forward by leaps and bounds, I was unable to keep pace with the tempo of this great epoch. The Communist Party of China was founded in 1921, but at that time I had not got in touch with Marxism and did not know the following fundamentals: the scientific laws of social development, analysing problems from the standpoint of class struggle, and revolution as the conscious action of the organized masses."

"I was deeply influenced by my grand-uncle who had been a member of the Taiping Army. He often told me stories about the Taiping forces. The Taipings, he used to say, had food for everybody, the women unbound their feet, and the land was shared out among the tillers. This instilled in me the idea of taking the landlords’ riches to relieve the poor, of wiping out the landlords and finding a way out for the poor."

"I was born into a lower-middle peasant family on the 10th day of the 9th moon on the lunar calendar in 1898. All my family had at that time were a few thatched huts on eight or nine mu (hectre) of fallow and hilly land. We planted sweet potatoes and cotton on the fallow land and palms, tea, China fir and bamboo on the hill. Working hard and living frugally, the eight of us — my granduncle, grandmother, my parents and four boys barely managed to make ends meet."

"The appalling poverty I experienced in my childhood and youth tempered me. In later years, I often recalled the plight of my childhood with a view to preventing myself from becoming corrupt and forgetting the hard life of the poor. That is why I can still vividly remember the ordeals I went through as a child."

"As World War I was then going on, the European and American imperialists had slowed down their aggression against China, and China’s industry was growing at a relatively high speed. This gave rise to such deceptive bourgeois patriotic ideas as “a prosperous nation with a mighty army” and “save the nation through industrial development”. They had an influence on me. But my chief motive in joining the army was to earn money to help provide for my poor family."

"The Mandarin language lessons taught included such messages as cultivating self-confidence and valuing time. I was one of the trainees, and in less than two years made some progress in language study. Talks were also given on the dismemberment of China by the foreign powers and on building China as a prosperous nation with a mighty army."

"When soldiers become conscious of what they are doing and are organized, they constitute a mighty force."

"I reached the age of 23 in 1921. Having been a cowherd, a child labourer, a dyke worker and a soldier, I had been through extreme poverty and experienced the hard life of workers, peasants and soldiers. In the process, I cultivated some simple class feelings for the oppressed."

"The more severe the pressure and difficulties are, the stronger and braver the Chinese people become. Adversity only brings our nation greater solidarity and strength."

"The achievements we have made in the past 70 years since the founding of the PRC is not a windfall or a handout from others. Neither was it made by engaging in military expansion or colonial exploitation. Instead, it has been achieved through the hard work, wisdom and bravery of the Chinese people, as well as through our win–win cooperation with the world since Reform and Opening Up."

"Facing a complex and volatile international security situation, the Chinese government and armed forces stay committed to regional and world prosperity and stability. Those who are familiar with China’s modern history must know that the country was once poor and weak and went through enormous misery. The Chinese people know very well the value of peace and the cruelty and destructiveness of war. Over the years some have been recklessly hyping up, exaggerating and dramatising the China threat theory, partly due to the lack of understanding of China’s history, culture and policies, but more likely due to misunderstanding, prejudice or even a hidden agenda of their own."

"Thirdly, which should we choose: win–win cooperation or a zero-sum game? Win–win cooperation makes the pie bigger and brings more benefits to all. However, a zero-sum game makes no winner and harms the interests of both sides."

"China sticks to the path of peaceful development. Such a commitment is underpinned by China’s socialist system, the independent foreign policy of peace and the cultural tradition that values peace and harmony. China shall follow the path of peaceful development, which is a solemn commitment to the people of China and the world."

"In the future, no matter how strong it becomes, China shall never threaten anyone, seek hegemony or establish spheres of influence. History has proven and will continue to prove that China will not follow the beaten path of big powers seeking hegemony when it grows strong. Hegemony does not conform to China’s values and national interests."

"Secondly, which should we choose: openness and inclusiveness or isolation and exclusiveness? See the world with an open and inclusive mind and there will be friends and partners everywhere. Yet see the world with a narrow and exclusive mind and there will only be enemies and adversaries. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, lately we see a growing backlash against globalisation and a surge of protectionism. A certain country champions unilateralism, puts its own interests before others and withdraws from international treaties and organisations. Are there not many countries suffering from the wilful infringement and sanctions?"

"Over the past 30-odd years, the Chinese military has shed blood and sweat to honor its lofty mission and solemn commitment to world peace. China will always strive to maintain world peace, promote global growth, uphold international order, and provide public goods. The Chinese military will always be a force of justice for world peace and development. We will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation on peacekeeping with all parties to make new and greater contributions to world peace"

"We should take the safety and security of peacekeepers as a priority in applying new technologies and improve security protection and medical capacity of peacekeeping troops to ensure the safety and health of peacekeepers."

"Humanity is at a crossroads. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the right path forward and the trend of the times. The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Destabilising, uncertain factors and challenges continue to arise."

"As we speak, the world is experiencing the combined impact of major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century. The international landscape keeps evolving in profound ways. We need stronger global response to address the common risks and challenges facing humanity. This requires us to build consensus on the UN platform to address challenges together and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Peacekeeping operations serve as an important instrument for the UN to maintain global peace and security."

"We should respect the central role of the host nations and take a comprehensive approach to eradicate the root cause of conflicts. We need to invest more in development and improve the host nations’ own capacity of development to realize sustainable peace and development."

"We believe that any such perspective should take into account the common security and interests of regional countries. No approaches to regional issues should resort to military blocs, nor should they undermine the interests of others."

"The pace of China's development is unstoppable, and its commitment to the path of peaceful development is unswerving. China's development is not a threat, but a great contribution to world peace and development."

"No one and no country should impose its will on others, or bully others under the guise of multilateralism."

"Firstly, which should we choose: peace and development or conflict and confrontation? Peace and development remain the call of our times and a trend of history. However, global and regional hotspots flare up one after another and the risk of conflict and war persists. We see regional wars and conflicts, the spread of terrorism, the chaos in the Middle East and the refugee crisis in Europe. What is the reason for them? Who is behind all these and what is the root cause? These are the questions to be reflected on. Some deliberately create division and hostility, provoke confrontation, meddle with regional affairs, interfere in the internal affairs of others and frequently resort to arms. Whose interests on earth do they serve and whose do they harm?"

"In developing its military technology, China has never taken India as a strategic rival, and none of its weapons were specifically designed to contain India."

"I can send several dozen small fishing boats loaded with explosives" to destroy the U.S. Zumwalt stealth destroyers and [North Korea has] two million elite special forces. . . will the U.S. and South Korean air forces be able to attack them one by one?"

"The biggest thing that separates television news commentating from entertainment programs is the high level of sensitivity and risk associated with [commentating]. From the perspective of the media, the commentator is always expected to provide in-depth analysis of breaking news. The best is if he can put forward new and unique ideas. From the perspective of commentating, as it is difficult to quickly gather together material in the event of breaking news, crises, or wars, one must therefore be equipped with a fairly deep knowledge of technology and tactical strategies, as well as a good foundation in political and diplomatic affairs in order to explain clearly the origin and sequence of events and happenings."

"Smog with PM2.5 readings of 500-600 is virtually impenetrable to lasers. In clear weather, laser weapons have a range of 10 kilometers, but smog can reduce this to less than 1 kilometer."

"In the military perspective, fighting is the last resort while before it there must be production on a large scale and with high enthusiasm and large-scale production on the sea."

"Knowledge is not the most important thing. The most important is your political quality and moral quality."

"Imperialism just means war, and as long as America and NATO are there, war won’t disappear. Time will confirm it all, let’s wait and see."

"Youth are the draft pool for the military, yet few of them would read the People’s Daily or follow the news on CCTV. The issue is how you reach out to them and convince them of their duty to the nation."

"If there is a clash in the South China Sea, the possibility that foreign countries would intervene is low, and any conflict would not last long."

"The Chinese people are extremely indignant at the outrages of the U.S. authorities in the Panama Canal Zone in infringing on the national sovereignty of Panama and killing its patriotic people. They pay heartfelt tribute to the Panamanian people who are fighting heroically. The Chinese people firmly support the just struggle of the government and people of Panama to safeguard their national sovereignty and dignity and to regain their sovereignty over the Panama Canal Zone. We are deeply convinced that the Panamanian people will certainly win final victory in the struggle."

"Soldiers, our brothers! Turn your guns in the opposite direction and fight to overthrow imperialism and the Kuomintang, which exploit, oppress, and butcher the Chinese labouring masses; fight to establish the Soviet Government and the Red Army of the workers, peasants, and soldiers! We your brothers, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Red Army, truly welcome you to our ranks."

"The Chinese people fully understand that it is only with the help of the Soviet Union and the people of other countries, and the international solidarity against imperialism, that the victory of the Chinese revolution could be achieved and can be consolidated. The Great October Socialist Revolution links the revolutionary struggle waged by the proletariat in the West with that waged by the oppressed peoples in the East, thus creating a revolutionary front against world imperialism. This revolutionary front was the most important guarantee for the Chinese people that they could achieve and consolidate the victory of their revolution."

"American imperialism is now starting a new aggression against the People's Republic of China. The flames of aggressive war kindled by American imperialism around China are spreading. The Chinese people have a deep love of peace, but in order to defend peace, they have never been, and will never be, afraid of resisting an aggressive war."

"The Tibetan nationality is one of the nationalities within the Chinese boundaries with a long history. It has performed its glorious duty in the work of creating and developing our great Motherland. But during the recent century, imperialist forces penetrated into China and also into Tibet, carrying out provocations and sowing discord."

"The Central People's Government will certainly help the Tibetan people in wiping out the influence of imperialism in Tibet; it will achieve the unification of the territory and sovereignty of the People's Republic of China, and defend the national frontiers of our great Motherland, so that the Tibetan nationality and people will achieve liberation, return forever to the family of our great Motherland and, helped by the Central People's Government and the Han nationality, develop its own political, economic, cultural and educational work and improve and raise its standards of living step by step."