With the 26th National Defense Education Day on the horizon, the Publicity Department of the Taojiang County Party Committee in Yiyang City, Hunan Province, has joined forces with the local People's Armed Forces Department. Together, they are rolling out a series of activities centered on youth patriotic education and mass-themed campaigns, all rooted in the area's rich revolutionary history, aiming to bolster national defense awareness and deepen patriotic sentiment across society.
At the Zhang Ziqing Red Education Base, a docent emotionally recounted the martyr's story: "He gave his last bit of salt to his comrades, yet tragically succumbed to an infection from his own wounds." Forty middle school students stood attentively around the display cases, earnestly reflecting on the selfless and patriotic sacrifices of the revolutionary forebears. Student Zhang Tanyu shared her feelings: "Hearing the story of him giving his salt to his comrades really moved me. National defense isn't just for soldiers; we young people must also build our skills so we can protect our country when we grow up."
Following the historical narrative, militia instructors led an on-site demonstration of military boxing. The synchronized punches and kicks, accompanied by resonant battle cries, filled the venue as students eagerly mimicked each movement. "Practicing military boxing is tiring, but I felt a surge of strength when we shouted our slogans. We need to learn from the spirit of the revolutionary martyrs, develop a sense of national defense, and aspire to safeguard our homeland," remarked student Chen Ruyi.
During the event, teachers also delivered thematic lectures centered on Zhang Ziqing's story and incorporated interactive Q&A segments, guiding the youth to cultivate deep patriotism and a resolve to strengthen the nation's military through learning and reflection. That evening, Jinhpan Square hosted a concurrent mass-awareness campaign under the theme "Carrying Forward the Great Long March Spirit, Uniting to Build a Strong National Defense." The initiative featured display boards, national defense knowledge quizzes, Long March-themed paper-cutting art, and distribution of informational materials, drawing many residents to participate. Local citizen Wang Mei commented, "I was out for an evening stroll and saw the national defense boards, quiz contests, and a paper-cutting artist depicting the Long March. It's a fresh and down-to-earth way to spread the message that we can all understand and remember."
Since 2020, Taojiang County has consistently tapped into its local revolutionary resources, weaving national defense education into its comprehensive educational framework. Looking ahead, Taojiang plans to push these programs further into schools, communities, and villages, fostering a collective commitment to caring about, supporting, building, and defending the nation's defense.
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