As part of its efforts to foster patriotism and national security awareness among young people, China is implementing comprehensive national defense education programs in schools across the country. These programs, which range from classroom lectures to hands-on combat training, aim to counter perceived foreign ideological influences and prepare students for potential future challenges. The South China Morning Post reports that these initiatives are part of a broader trend aimed at sowing “seeds of patriotism” among China’s youth, driven by Beijing’s response to escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly with the US. This move comes amid concerns about declining military recruitment levels, attributed to factors like falling birth rates and a perceived “weak sense” of national defense among younger generations. Following former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022, which Beijing interpreted as part of US efforts to contain its rise, schools across China have intensified their military education programs. This includes incorporating advanced elements like drone operations and simulated battlefield scenarios into training exercises. In the 1980s, China’s short-term military training for students primarily consisted of marching, drills, and physical exercises. Today, these programs have evolved significantly, reflecting a growing emphasis on technical skills and practical combat experience. Students at various universities across China are now engaging in combat training with rocket launchers, simulated drone attacks, gun target practice, and night marches to simulate air attack scenarios. These programs extend beyond traditional classroom lectures, incorporating visits to military sites and camps to foster early patriotism and military awareness. Even kindergarten children are being exposed to frontline soldier training, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of China’s approach to national defense education. The emphasis on military education extends beyond schools. Recent years have seen Chinese universities incorporating drones and rocket launchers into combat training, while even kindergarten-age children visit military camps to foster what military commanders term as the “seeds” of a “strong military.” China is also making changes to its National Defense Education Law, emphasizing the need to bolster support among China’s youth for its military efforts. The proposed amendments include making military “awareness” classes compulsory for primary school students as young as six, initiating military training programs for junior high school students aged 12-15, and integrating national defense education into school curricula and examinations. These measures are part of a broader set of policy initiatives rolled out in recent years, reflecting Beijing’s commitment to instilling a strong sense of patriotism and national security consciousness in its youth. Experts believe that early exposure to national defense education can foster a sense of national identity, promote physical fitness, and develop patriotic thinking, ultimately contributing to the country’s defense capabilities. The rising prominence of national defense education in China reflects a growing concern over geopolitical risks and challenges in attracting young people to join the military. Experts are attempting to extract military lessons from key battlegrounds like Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of national defense preparedness in a rapidly changing global environment. Amidst these developments, the ongoing debate over China’s military ambitions and its approach to national defense education continues to attract global attention, highlighting the complex interplay of politics, education, and national security in the contemporary world.
