Core Values of Contemporary Revolutionary Military Personnel

Be loyal to the Party, love the people, serve the country, dedicate to the mission, and advocate honors. It is proposed by Hu Jintao in December 2008. The core values of contemporary revolutionary military personnel, as the most basic and core values that lead ideological, moral and behavioral modes of the officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and reflect the relationships between the contemporary officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, between the Party, the people, the country, and the army, and between officers and soldiers, is the embodiment of the Socialist core value system in the army. The Report of the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 further emphasized to “continue to cultivate the core values of contemporary revolutionary military personnel”. The people's army led by the Communist Party of China established values that reflect its nature and purpose from the beginning of its establishment. This is not only an important source of the people's army's combat effectiveness, but also a political advantage that must be cherished. “Being loyal to the Party” means to consciously uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the army, hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen the ideals and beliefs of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and resolutely follow the Party’s command at all times. “Loving the people” means to faithfully practice the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, insist that the interests of the people are above everything and above all, always maintain the political qualities of the people's army, be closely linked with the people and share the breath and destiny with them, and make selfless dedication to the people.

“Serving the country” means to vigorously carry forward the spirit of patriotism, closely connect the future and destiny of the individual with that of the country, resolutely defend the national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and the state power of a people's democratic dictatorship, and contribute to the construction of a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized and harmonious socialist modern country. “Dedicating to the mission” means to fulfill the sacred duty of revolutionary soldiers, love the military and be skilled in martial arts, cherish posts and devote wholeheartedly to work, fear no sacrifice, be heroic and combatworthy, and resolutely fulfill the historical mission of the army in the new stage of the new century bestowed by the Party and people. “Advocating honors” means to consciously cherish and safeguard the honor of the country, the army, and soldiers, value honor more than life, consciously practice the socialist concept of honor and disgrace, promote the spirit of revolutionary heroism and collectivism, improve quality, achieve comprehensive development, strive for top-notch, provide meritorious service, keep the revolutionary integrity, and strictly observe military discipline.

These five aspects are interlinked and complement each other, each with its own focus and intrinsically unified. The core values of contemporary revolutionary soldiers were the first "core values" proposed among the various strata, industries, and groups across the country after the 6th Plenary Session of the 16th CPC Central Committee proposed to establish the Socialist core value system in October 2006. It not only embodies the excellent tradition of the People's Liberation Army, the development requirements of the times, and the unity of the pursuit of the value of officers and soldiers. In the meantime, its proposition and practice form a huge traction, which plays a positive role in demonstrating and promoting the proposition and practice of Socialist core value.