China has lifted the veil on some of its most tightly guarded military activities through a five-part television documentary that began airing on Friday, coinciding with the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The series, titled Gong Jian, or Forging Ahead, reveals never-before-seen footage of the PLA Rocket Force conducting a full-range test launch of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 25 September, offering the public an unprecedented glimpse into one of the military’s most secretive strategic units.
The documentary presents the tense moments leading up to the ICBM launch, which went ahead as planned despite the site being battered by a severe storm shortly beforehand. The footage captures the meticulous preparations undertaken by PLA officers and technicians as they execute the launch protocol under challenging weather conditions. One officer featured in the series remarked that he had “waited for the order for many years”, adding that the operation’s complexity exceeded that of any previous exercises or rehearsals. He underscored the significance of the event, stating it was “closely related to the honour of the Rocket Force, and was also linked with the motherland’s dignity and prowess”.
The launch sequence culminates in striking visuals of a large missile ascending into the sky, moments after officers exited the launch vehicle. The documentary then cuts to Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, confirming on the same day that an ICBM carrying dummy warheads had been launched into open waters in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the first time since 1980 that China publicly disclosed the flight test of an ICBM. The previous instance involved a DF-5 missile launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, which travelled over 9,000 kilometres before reaching its designated area in the South Pacific.
In addition to showcasing strategic missile operations, the documentary also delves into China’s sea-based nuclear deterrence capabilities, offering rare images from within one of the PLA Navy’s Type 09IV-A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Viewers witness sailors undertaking high-stakes exercises, including damage control and underwater infiltration drills, conducted with apparent precision and high morale. The vessel is presented as a crucial element in China’s underwater nuclear deterrent force.
Military analyst Wu Peixin described the documentary’s content as a bold demonstration of the PLA’s growing confidence and transparency. He suggested that the revelations serve as a subtle yet firm message to the international community. “They will act as a gentle but powerful reminder to the world that though the Chinese people and the PLA love and cherish peace and stability, we will never hesitate to smash any attempt to jeopardise our sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and interests, and we are definitely able to do that,” Wu said.
