Aug. 1, 2018: The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Guard of Honor marches in Tian'anmen Square during the flag-raising ceremony. Every year on this day, China celebrates the founding of its army. 2018 marks the 91st anniversary. Over the past decades, the PLA has been dedicated to safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, security and territory as well as modernizing to become a positive force for world peace and regional stability. /VCG Photo

August 3, 2016: A Chinese Marine competes in the Seaborne Assault competition of the 2016 International Army Games held in Russia. /VCG Photo

July 13, 2016: A soldier plays the guitar to help a military dog relax during a training break in Heihe City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. /VCG Photo

Jan. 21, 2011: Some 150 new recruits take part in a training session in Yichun City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, despite temperatures as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius. /VCG Photo

May 23, 2008: Soldiers work together to push a broken truck past fallen rocks after an earthquake shook Yingxiu Town, southwest China's Sichuan Province. /VCG Photo

Oct. 1, 2009: Tanks roll through Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. /VCG Photo

August 8, 1998: Chinese soldiers in Jiujiang City, east China’s Jiangxi Province, stack bags filled with sand or soybeans to control floodwaters. China experienced severe flooding across the country that year, causing significant economic loss. /VCG Photo