We need to make a long-term effort, National Defense Education Day

As bullets whizzed mercilessly over the heads of frontline soldiers, the shops behind them were filled with a peaceful scene of thriving business: regulars savored coffee with contentment, and war was nothing more than a casual conversation for them; A tank unit commander was killed by local residents while preparing to resist enemy forces attempting to cross the Loire River, citing that they did not want any bloodshed to occur; Many mayors desperately demanded that troops not enter their towns... These scenes occurred in France during World War II.

Why did France, which was still a mainstay during World War I, quickly fall? Of course, the powerful German Blitzkrieg, the strategic mistakes of the French commander, and the backwardness of France's industry and military were all important reasons for its disastrous defeat. However, in addition, we may also glimpse another important reason for France's failure from the above scene - the neglect of national defense education.

In contrast to the many people in pre World War I France who loudly proclaimed war and advocated revenge against Germany, as the threat of World War II approached, the vast majority of the French people were influenced by pacifist ideologies. Under the guidance of appeasement policies, the French government almost abandoned national defense education, and the people's aversion to war was high. Many citizens attempted to evade military service, and they were mentally unprepared for the battle that would determine the fate of the country, wishful thinking of seeking peace from fascist countries, especially Nazi Germany. When France was forced to declare war on Germany, it was not surprising that the French people did not show a spirit of solidarity with the enemy. On the contrary, they were panicked and panicked. Groups of men, women, and children use all means of transportation that can speed up to escape Paris, and even obstruct the army's resistance against the enemy. The numb and undermobilized national sentiment divided France in two, and a less united France could never win the glory of 1918 again.

Why is modern China not like this? Although the government at that time also provided a certain degree of national defense education through various forms, many laws and measures related to national defense education were not truly implemented during the turbulent regime changes. The limited national defense education to a certain extent exacerbated the suffering of the Chinese nation. The humiliation and humiliation of the country after the failure of the Opium War, the tragic situation of the Chinese people after the September 18 Incident, and the deaths of over 300000 compatriots in the Nanjing Massacre... The history of humiliation has repeatedly reminded us that if we fall behind, we will be beaten. Without a strong national defense, there can be no peaceful and peaceful life for the people. The lessons of history have also given us a clear answer: at all times, we must strengthen national defense education for all.

A country without defense cannot stand firm, and good education wins the hearts of the people. National defense education for all is a fundamental project for building and consolidating national defense and a strong People's Army. It is an important component of the Party's propaganda and ideological work, and an effective way to promote patriotism and enhance the national defense awareness of the whole people. It is of great significance and has a profound impact.

Since September, various regions in Guangdong Province have organized activities to bid farewell to new recruits who are about to start their military careers; Pingdingshan, Henan, showcases to the public models of some weapons and equipment during the war era and modern times; Schools across the country have organized the "first lesson of the school year", placing national defense education courses in a prominent position and telling students red stories and heroic deeds in various forms... "Our army is the people's army, and our national defense is the national defense of the whole nation." This "National Defense Education Month" uses innovative forms and carriers to transmit the core values of red to various industries in society, making national defense education penetrate into the daily work, study, and life of ordinary people. Deepening, lasting, and vivid national defense education will guide the whole society to consciously fulfill its national defense obligations, care for, support, and participate in national defense construction through practical actions, and thus gather a strong willpower of unity and building a strong military.

Strengthening national defense education for all in the new era requires not only the attention of party committees and governments at all levels, broad participation from all sectors of society, but also the active coordination and support of the military. In recent years, the military has supported participation in national defense education for all, providing strong support and strong guarantees for the popularization and deepening of national defense education in terms of educational content, teaching staff, equipment and facilities. Fully tapping into military resources and leveraging military advantages will undoubtedly effectively promote the deepening, implementation, and improvement of national defense education for all.

Not long ago, the 2023 Air Force Aviation Open Event was held in Changchun, with aerial performances, ground static exhibitions, and firsthand experiences. The diverse forms of activities allowed the public to experience the charm of the People's Air Force. Many young people on site exclaimed, "As I grow up, I also want to join the military!" In late July, multiple Air Force Y-20 planes took off from five boarding points across the country, transporting new flight students to the Air Force Aviation University for registration. Netizens expressed their envy in real names. A certain frigate detachment of the Southern Theater Command Navy invited students from the Navy Hope Primary School in Linshui County, Guang'an City to board the warship and disembark from the deep cabin to learn and appreciate the "deep blue culture"... Through specific activities, the People's Army has enhanced public understanding of the People's Army and national defense construction, enhanced national pride and identity.

The world is currently experiencing unprecedented changes, and China is facing a complex and ever-changing security and development environment. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. Faced with new situations and tasks, the Party and the people have higher expectations for building and consolidating national defense and building a strong People's Army, and have higher requirements for deepening national defense education for all. This requires making caring about national defense, loving national defense, building national defense, and defending national defense a consensus and conscious action of the whole society. Today is the 23rd National Defense Education Day in China, and many parts of the country have issued air defense alerts to raise awareness of national defense construction. Of course, national defense education for all is a long-term and subtle process that cannot be solely based on commemorative days and activity months. What is needed is perseverance and long-term achievements. Only by instilling a sense of crisis and national defense in the whole society, always being vigilant and prepared for emergencies, can we solidify the foundation of the survival of the Chinese nation.