According to Yao, over the past eight years, he has witnessed his company’s rapid transformation, characterized by diversified missions and overseas deployments.
“Thanks to the use of digital platforms and upgraded hardware, we are now capable of operating in all types of environments and safeguarding our motherland’s overseas interests. Personally, I have been to the Gulf of Aden and East Africa with the Navy’s escort fleet, and I have seen a lot of conflicts and unrest. All of this has taught me that the world is not always at peace and faces many troubles. It is China that always promises its people peace and stability. I am grateful to the fallen soldiers who died fighting the invaders because their sacrifice brought us peace and freedom,” the marine said.
Yao added, “Thanks to my overseas deployments, I had the opportunity to witness China’s rising strength on the global stage. I can now proudly tell you that whenever you need help on foreign soil, you can count on the motherland, and it will always offer firm support.”
He noted that there is a small ceremony that the flagbearers attend each morning during training days: sharing the story behind each flag with other members of the temporary team.
“Every morning, one of us stands in front of the others, holding the honorary flag and telling the others about the accomplishments for which that flag was awarded to their unit. This activity is intended to pass on the fighting spirit of each flag to all of us.
“I am tasked with organizing the ceremony every morning, so many of my fellow carriers told me they love this arrangement. One of them told me that his eyes filled with tears as he listened to those heroic deeds in battle. He said he could envision the valiant soldiers giving their lives to fight against enemies,” Yao recalled.
Talking about flagbearing skills, he said that besides hard and repeated training, carriers have developed useful techniques.
“For example, I made a small tool that allows us to develop a kind of muscle memory for the proper angle between the hand and the flagpole. After a period of practice, it proved to be effective and has been adopted by all carriers,” Yao said.
After the parade, the officer said, he will return to his company and share the flags’ stories and training skills with his troops.
