On Revolution

In order to build a modernized revolutionary army and develop the construction of the People's Army from a lower to a higher stage, Mao Zedong stressed that while equipping the armed forces with modernization, the political construction of the troops must be vigorously strengthened.

On April 15, 1954, the “General Provisions of the Political Work Regulations of the People's Liberation Army (Draft)” promulgated by the CPC Central Committee and the People's Revolutionary Military Committee of the Central People's Government clearly pointed out that: "The Chinese People's Liberation Army is the armed force of the People's Republic of China, the People's Army led by the Communist Party of China, defending the motherland and serving the people's revolutionary struggle and national construction. The CPC is the founder and organizer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The Party's Marxist-Leninist political and military line is the decisive factor for the victory of this army. To stand closely with the people and to serve them wholeheartedly is the sole purpose of this army. The Chinese People's Liberation Army must resolutely strive for the Party's programme and line and for socialist construction.” Building a modern revolutionary army necessitates to maintain the revolutionary tradition and spirit.

Mao Zedong pointed out: "We must maintain the same vigor, revolutionary enthusiasm, and desperate spirit that we had during the revolutionary war, and carry out our revolutionary work to the end.” Also, Mao repeatedly emphasized, "Hard struggle is our political essence” and “People need to have a little spirit.”

In March 1963, Mao issued a call to advise the people to “learn from Comrade Lei Feng”. In August of the same year, he wrote the “Ode to Eighth Company” calling on the whole army to learn from the good eighth company on Nanjing Road in Shanghai that "resist corrosion, never stain" spirit.