On October 1, 1949, the celebration of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, marking the birth of the People's Republic of China. At this turning point in history, Chairman Mao Zedong began to think about how to build the country's military defense system. At that time, China's military power was mainly concentrated in the army, while the air force and navy were relatively weak. Considering the importance of maritime strategy, Chairman Mao decided to prioritize the development of naval forces, which was motivated by a vision for national security and future development. Choosing the right leaders to drive this strategic shift has become an urgent issue.
In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, national defense construction was in a critical stage of reconstruction and transformation. In early 1950, in a modest conference room at the Central Military Commission, Mao Zedong and several senior generals were discussing the future of the newly formed People's Navy. Chairman Mao was well aware that without a strong navy, China could not truly become an independent country.
Chairman Mao pondered for a moment and said to Xiao Jinguang, who was sitting opposite: "Comrade Xiao Jinguang, you have shown outstanding military talent and strategic vision in the War of Resistance Against Japan. I want you to serve as the new commander of the Navy and lead the construction of our Navy. ”
Xiao Jinguang was slightly surprised, after all, he had far more experience in land warfare than naval warfare. He replied with some hesitation: "Chairman, I have spent most of my time fighting on land and know very little about the affairs of the navy. ”
Mao Zedong smiled and said: "I know you are a 'landlubber', but the construction of the navy is not only about technology and experience, but also about vision and courage." I'm sure you'll be able to learn and do well. ”
Over the next few months, Xiao Jinguang began his naval journey. He went deep into various coastal ports, from the Yalu River to Guangdong, to inspect and understand the state of China's coastal defense. He saw not only a poorly trained navy and aging ships, but also a huge challenge - how to build a modern navy from scratch.
In April 1950, in an inconspicuous auditorium in Beijing, Xiao Jinguang faced a thousand fledgling naval soldiers and delivered an impassioned speech: "Today, we are weak, but we must become strong." It is our responsibility and mission to build a strong people's navy!"
Year after year, Xiao Jinguang and his team have overcome countless difficulties, from developing training plans, introducing technology to designing warships. Every test at sea and every tactical discussion is an exploration and preparation for the future Chinese Navy.
After decades of unremitting efforts, Xiao Jinguang has not only witnessed the Chinese Navy from scratch, but also seen its gradual modernization track. In his later years, although he had left the forefront of the Navy, he could not calm down whenever he saw news reports that China would no longer build aircraft carriers. In a chance meeting, Xiao Jinguang directly questioned Liu Huaqing, then commander of the Navy: "Why do we want to stop the construction of aircraft carriers? Don't we no longer need to move towards a maritime power?" Liu Huaqing was shocked by Xiao Jinguang's momentum, recalled the old general's dedication and sacrifice, and after a moment of silence, he replied: "Comrade Jinguang, I fully understand your concern. But be assured that we will not give up on the future of the ocean. This is just a strategic adjustment, for the sake of long-term development. ”
Xiao Jinguang's life is a legend closely related to the Chinese Navy. From a land soldier to a naval commander, he is not only the executor of strategy and decision-making, but also the shaper of the spirit of the Chinese Navy. His doubts are not only about the construction of aircraft carriers, but also about the country's deep worries about the future of the country. History is written by those who dare to face challenges, keep asking and seeking answers. As Xiao Jinguang embodies, true leadership and vision are not only to promote development in good times, but also to adhere to principles and goals in adversity. This point still has far-reaching enlightenment for us today -- in the tide of globalization, safeguarding and developing its maritime rights and interests is an unavoidable responsibility for any country that aspires to prosperity and development.