The Chinese nation once created many extensive and profound spirits. In modern times, it has created the Jinggangshan spirit, the Long March spirit, the Yan'an spirit, the Nanniwan spirit, the Lei Feng spirit and the flood fighting spirit, etc. In this ongoing relief operations after the massive earthquake jolted Wenchuan in Sichuan Province, all PLA commanders and fighters have, with their braveness and tenacity, created the "quake relief spirit" of uniting the will of people of the whole nation to meet difficulties head-on in an indomitable spirit.

　　The "quake relief spirit" is built on the fine traditions of obeying orders of the Party in all actions, serving the people wholeheartedly, and being brave and skillful in battle. After the massive quake, over 100,000 troops rushed to the quake areas at the fastest possible speed in compliance of the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission. In the relief operations, the officers and men always let the masses of people to be the first to have meals to eat, water to drink, medicine to cure their illness, and tents to live in, fully demonstrating our army's purpose of serving to the people wholeheartedly.

　　The "quake relief spirit" has also found its expression in heroicalness and tenacity displayed by the officers and men in rescue and relief operations. "We should be at places where there are dangers!" To rescue an 11-year-old girl, the officers and men of a unit worked hard for 40 hours in a row and they changed rescue solutions for several times, but they never give up, eventually they succeeded in pulling the girl out of rubble and saved her life.

　　The "quake relief spirit" has also found its expression in utter dedication to the motherland and selfless devotion to their responsibilities by the officers and men. The patriotism is the high moral quality and a national spirit formed in the development of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Out of their deep love for their motherland and people, many officers and men at the quake relief front rescued the people at the sacrifice of their own dear ones or at the risk of their own lives, while their comrades-in-arms in the rear selflessly donated money, materials and blood to the people in quake-hit areas.

　　The "quake relief spirit" will surely become an inherent dynamics to constantly drive the Chinese nation forward.

　　By Zhao Guoqi

　　(May 29, PLA Daily)                                          Editor: Dong Zhaohui