China's Determined March Towards a World-Class Military: A Documentary Series Captures the Nation's Attention

The concept of building a strong military has been emphasized since 2012, when the idea of achieving the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" was first proposed. A strong military was seen as a crucial component of this goal. In 2021, the commitment to a Chinese-style strong military path was reiterated, with a focus on comprehensive advancement in political, reform, scientific, talent, and law-based military building.

Recent developments have highlighted the significant progress made towards this goal. A documentary series titled "攻坚——矢志强军向一流" (Tackling Tough Issues - Determined to Build a Strong Military Towards World-Class) began airing on CCTV-1 in August 2025, with reruns on CCTV-7. The series is a significant public communication effort on the topic, aiming to educate and inspire officers and soldiers to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments" and to strengthen the "four consciousnesses," firm up the "four self-confidences," and achieve the "two maintenances."

The documentary series focuses on various aspects of the Chinese military's modernization and training efforts. The first episode, "军令如山" (Military Orders Are Like Mountains), highlights the strict discipline, rapid deployment capabilities, and challenging training scenarios faced by Chinese armed forces. The second episode, "淬锋砺刃" (Tempering the Blade), delves into the intensive combat training and real-world scenarios designed to hone the skills of soldiers.

The release of the documentary series around the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has generated significant public interest and discussion on social media platforms like Weibo. The series has been trending due to its timely release, showcasing of military power, reinforcement of national resolve, and public engagement.

The Chinese military's growing capabilities have been on full display in recent years. A recent incident involving the Chinese aircraft carrier group, where an unknown high-altitude drone approached the Chinese fleet, demonstrated the military's readiness and capabilities. Chinese fighter jets were launched to investigate and visually confirm the drone, with the drone's position always within the missile's permissible firing range.

The public reaction to the documentary series and the military's growing capabilities has been significant. While access to engagement metrics and comment content is limited, it is clear that the topic has generated widespread interest and discussion. The emphasis on showcasing the perspectives and experiences of individual soldiers across various branches of the military has made the content relatable and impactful.

The "矢志强军向一流" initiative is guided by the "Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military," which emphasizes absolute Party leadership over the military and adherence to the Party's military thought. The Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest military leadership body in China, plays a crucial role in directing the military's efforts towards this goal.

As China continues to modernize and strengthen its military, the "矢志强军向一流" initiative will remain a key component of the country's national strategy. The documentary series and other media efforts will continue to play a significant role in shaping public perception and awareness of the military's growing capabilities and readiness to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.