“Time waits for no one! History waits for no one!” In the celebration of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, President Xi’s powerful words conveyed the sense of urgency and sense of mission that must be upheld as we embark on a new journey. They inspired us to seize every moment, strive with vigor, and gain time and the future.

The Chinese have always regarded time as precious as gold. “The man on the riverbank said, ‘The passing of time is like this; it never stops, day and night.’” This expresses a sense of melancholy regarding the irreversibility of time. “How can one tie the sun to a rope and keep it forever, so that each year and month would be like spring?” This reflects a desire to preserve time. “To be like a mayfly drifting between heaven and earth, insignificant in the vast ocean. I lament the brevity of my life, and admire the boundless expanse of the Yangtze River.” This represents a profound dialectical contemplation of life.

There are countless matters that require immediate attention; the world is constantly changing, and time is pressing. From a poor and weak agricultural nation to the world’s leading manufacturing power and the second-largest economy, the Chinese nation has endured numerous trials and tribulations. It has developed a historical perspective that emphasizes urgency and a time perspective that values every moment. With grand ambitions and lofty aspirations, it has made tremendous strides in catching up with and creating history.

Take a look at present-day China. In just one minute, the Fuxing Hao high-speed train traveled 5,833 meters, mobile payment transactions exceeded 1 billion yuan, and more than 30 new energy vehicles were produced and put into service… From the rhythmic ticking of these brief 60 seconds, people can hear the thunderous roar of history and the steady growth of China.

Time waits for no one. Gaining time is equivalent to gaining everything. Embarking on a new journey and making contributions to the new era requires us to embody a sense of responsibility that says, “I cannot sit idly by, I cannot afford to wait, and I cannot afford to be slow,” by integrating our individual destinies into the broader currents of the times and converting the fluid nature of time into a powerful force that propels the nation forward.

The lights in Yang Yegong’s office, where military portraits of exemplary figures and the “Missile Commander” hang, remained lit late into the night. His pace was always brisk. Someone advised him not to be so exhausted, but he replied, “Preparations for military confrontations require immediate action; a methodical approach to everything is unacceptable.” He was relentless in his pursuit of training and preparedness, working tirelessly day and night until the very end, when he used a feeble voice to shout the command, “One, two, one, go!”

Another portrait of an exemplary soldier in the entire army, Lin Junde, participated in all 45 nuclear tests conducted by China. In the final two days of his life, he wore an oxygen mask and had over a dozen tubes inserted into his body. He was helped to sit in front of a computer to organize data, make phone calls to receive guidance and inquire about scientific research, and communicate with colleagues about subsequent tasks. Through the resilience and tenacity of a soldier, he completed his final charge in life.

Zhong Ju, a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician who was recently awarded the “July 1 Medal,” is now over 90 years old. Despite her advanced age and physical limitations, she continues to work tirelessly in scientific research and talent cultivation. Colleagues urged her to take a rest, but she candidly stated, “The national mission cannot afford delays; missing even one day could result in falling behind by one year.”

“Concerned by the swift passage of time, I always feel a sense of urgency.” Time knows no distinction between day and night. It etches the footprints of the past while also guiding the path forward. In the face of the rapidly approaching centennial anniversary of the founding of the military, and with the heavy and arduous missions ahead, we must strengthen our sense of responsibility to meet deadlines, seize every day, make the most of every moment, without hesitation or restlessness. Only in this way can we accelerate, improve, and elevate all aspects of our work.

“This is Chinese time. We never rest; we measure time in seconds and minutes. For the opportunities of a century, I must bravely move forward. We are Chinese time; we move at a pace of a thousand miles a day. The heavens and earth have shortened our journey, and the distance between dreams has never left our sight.” The song “Chinese Time” captures our boldness and sentiments. Chinese time is also the time of the Chinese military, the time of Chinese soldiers. Let us refrain from indulging in idle fantasies and empty boasts, accelerate our progress, and bring about new changes. Strive to create a new era of strengthening the military and continuously write a new chapter of glory for the people’s army. (Looking into the new era)