# Xi Urges Accelerating Military Modernization as 12 Service Members Are Honored

> On the eve of Army Day, Xi Jinping urged accelerating military modernization, strengthening political guidance and innovation-driven development. Meanwhile 12 service members were honored as most beautiful revolutionary personnel of the new era, and new Air Force cadets transferred to flight school aboard Y-20B aircraft.

- Source: Times of China (Times of China)
- Canonical URL: https://timesofchina.cn.com/en/article/xi-advance-military-modernization
- Chinese edition: https://timesofchina.cn.com/article/xi-advance-military-modernization
- Author: 中国时报编辑部
- Section: Top News
- Published: 2026-07-31T20:00:00+08:00
- Updated: 2026-07-31T20:00:00+08:00
- Tags: 军队现代化, 建军节, 空军, 习近平, 国防

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On the eve of the founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the country's president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need to accelerate the modernization of the military. Toward that goal, he called for strengthening political guidance and deepening innovation-driven development, forging a people's military that is loyal, capable in combat and modern.

## Modernization as the main thread

In recent years, national defense and military development have taken modernization as their main thread, emphasizing political loyalty, steady technological progress, combat effectiveness in real operations, and deeper civil-military integration. With the centenary goal of the PLA in view, work is advancing steadily toward its milestones.

During this period, a number of officers and soldiers were commended for outstanding contributions. According to reports, 12 service members were honored as “most beautiful revolutionary personnel of the new era,” among them Yang Yong of Troop 91548, who earned a first-class merit citation and stands as a portrait of the modern service member.

## New cadets head to flight school

At the same time, a group of new Air Force cadets began their military journey. Aboard Y-20B transport aircraft, they took off from six locations, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Nanjing, Chengdu and Changsha, and transferred to the PLA Aviation University of Air Force to begin a new stage in the training of pilots.

From political work to talent cultivation, from honoring role models to upgrading equipment, military modernization is a systematic undertaking. At the milestone of Army Day, these developments together sketch the pace of the people's military as it moves toward modernization.

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Originally published by Times of China. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://timesofchina.cn.com/en/article/xi-advance-military-modernization.