Rigorous discipline

The question of how to maintain the long traditions of the company is one that Hu Guanlei, the company commander, has pondered every day since he took over in 2020. He recently hit on the answer: rigorous discipline and strong combat capability.

"Discipline is another kind of command. If all the soldiers adhere to every discipline and command, we will be very strong in combat effectiveness," the 27-year-old said, adding that the greatest power comes when everyone pulls in one direction.

"It is impossible for an army to win any war, no matter how strong it is in combat skills and equipment, if it is not well-disciplined and is unable to undertake any task."

As such, every member of the company spares no effort to practice their combat ability in accordance with strict requirements and their persistence in inheriting the unit's historic role with honor.

"Every soldier here, whether they are from the older or younger generation, is courageous and upright enough to be a pioneer and stand out to finish various tasks in order to maintain the honor of our company," said Ke, who was one of the company's most experienced soldiers.

He added that the tradition of upholding the unit's honor has been handed down from age to age.

In 2019, the company was tasked with conducting an assault during mountain combat exercises conducted on Southwest China's Western Sichuan Plateau at an altitude of more than 4,300 meters.

During the operation, a task force of seven soldiers offered to carve out the way through for the other troops, but their advance was hampered by a fast-flowing river.