Tang Yimo (center in front row) and fellow soldiers from the Red Outpost Company of the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force salute after a performance in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, last month. (Li Shangyi/China Daily)
Stirring music floats from a seaside military camp in South China, carrying with it the lyrics, "With fiery heart, shining eyes and unyielding bones, we tread through sweet fragrance and foul stench alike." On a small stage, singer Tang Yimo stares resolutely ahead, his eyes glistening with tears.
Tang is not only the singer-songwriter responsible for the inspiring tune, the deputy leader of the Red Outpost Company of the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force, based in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, also represents the modern face of the outfit.
This Red Outpost Company boasts a long and proud history. Formed in late 1944, it took part in both the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the War of Liberation (1946-49), making significant contributions to the founding of the People’s Republic of China through key battles such as the Liaoshen and Pingjin campaigns.
In 1952, the company was stationed at Chung Ying Street in Shenzhen, Guangdong, on the border of Hong Kong, which was under British colonial rule. In 1969, it was redeployed to Zhuhai, where it remains to this day.
On June 1, 1964, the Ministry of National Defense awarded the company the honorary title of Red Outpost Company.
Over the past eight decades, the company has been entrusted with major missions, including typhoon response and security duties for the Airshow China in Zhuhai.
Beyond their daily duties, the soldiers of the company have channeled their passion into other areas such as music, using it as a medium to express the "Red Company Spirit".
While performing songs such as Red Outpost, Tang’s unwavering gaze resembles that of a sentry on guard, a role typically undertaken by members of the armed police force.
Tang revealed the song was inspired by a real sentry he encountered during a patrol. "I saw him standing firmly, staring into the distance," Tang said. "I asked if he was tired or missed home."
The sentry’s reply left a deep impression. "The sea breeze reminds me of home," the sentry said. "I was raised by the sea. I don’t feel tired because I’m guarding my home."
Moved by these words, Tang wrote Red Outpost, a tribute to the devotion of front-line soldiers. Another lyric of the song goes, "As the evening breeze stirs the red sentry post, the soldier’s longing is whispered only to the wind."
Born in 1997, Tang graduated from a music school before enlisting in 2019. His musical talent quickly stood out, leading him to form a band within his unit.
Tang’s ties to the military run deep. Both his father and uncle served before him. "I remember a picture of my father playing guitar in uniform," Tang said. "My uncle used to teach me military martial arts."
Though he chose music as his major at college, Tang initially lagged behind his peers due to limited formal training. During this testing time, his father’s words — "In the army, if you choose it, you must give it your all" — became his driving force to work harder.
Tang completed his degree in 2019. Shortly after, his life took a sharp turn upon receiving a text message about military recruitment. "The fire to join the army reignited," Tang recalled. "I knew it was my last chance to become a soldier."
Armed with his guitar, he enlisted — but military life was far tougher than he had imagined. "I weighed 90 kilograms when I joined, and lost 20 kg in just three months," he said.
Soldiers from the Red Outpost Company interact with children with partial sight and hearing in Zhuhai in May last year. (Photo/China Daily)
During one training session, after running 10 laps around the track, Tang collapsed from exhaustion. His fellow recruits lifted him up by the arms, carrying him across the finish line. "That was when I understood: no matter how hard it is, a soldier never gives up," he said. "We are one team."
During Chinese New Year’s Eve in 2020, while families across China gathered in celebration, Tang stood guard. When midnight struck, fireworks lit up the sky, and the air was filled with the sounds of joy and celebration. "It was the first time I truly felt like a soldier," he said. "Thanks to thousands of soldiers on duty, civilians can celebrate each Spring Festival in peace."
His band would later capture that sentiment in a song: "Whose watchful eyes guard the countless lights of home? The finest of military devotion is given to the motherland."
Tang was later assigned to the Red Outpost Company, a unit with a distinguished legacy.
Chen Dahai, a former adviser to the unit, recalled: "We moved camp three times to accommodate the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Though the living conditions were tough, we never failed in our duties."
Beyond their missions, soldiers from the unit also regularly visit and spend time with children with disabilities.
Tang believes music is a powerful way to pass down the unit’s spirit. "Music can enlighten and heal," he said.
Red Outpost Company soldiers Tang Yimo (left) and Wu Yi rehearse a song together. (Li Shangyi/China Daily)
In July last year, Tang formally established the unit’s band, which now has 13 members, aged between 19 and 36, including riflemen and a cook.
Drawing experience from their own lives, the band produces a range of music, from morale-boosting rock songs to tender ballads about family. They also incorporate traditional Chinese instruments like the suona horn and drums.
Liu Junfeng, 19, is the band’s youngest member and rapper. When he joined the unit last year, a visit to its exhibition room left a lasting impression. "The Red spirit passed down by our predecessors deeply moved me," Liu said. Inspired, he began writing and performing rap verses alongside Tang.
One of Liu’s unforgettable stories is that of Mei Kaichun, a company martyr who was killed in 1992 after refusing a bribe from criminals. Liu’s favorite line captures the unit’s ethos, "Whether faced with the gleam of swords and knives or the allure of wealth and excess, the company’s soldiers must maintain their integrity, resisting corruption and never being swayed."
"Being a part of this unit fills me with pride," Liu said. "I’ve learned to face challenges together with my team."
Another young rapper in the band, 22-year-old Wu Yi, echoed similar sentiments. Wu often jots down lyrics that come to him during training. "The unit is incredibly inclusive," Wu said. "Living and training with senior soldiers, I felt the spirit passed along every day."
The enthusiasm and creativity of younger soldiers have bolstered Tang’s confidence. "We hope our songs can inspire more young people to connect with military music," he said.
Tang’s work, including Red Outpost, has already won multiple awards — a testament to how deeply the spirit of the Red Outpost Company lives on, through both word and melody.
Liao Binhua contributed to this story.
原文地址：http://en.people.cn/n3/2025/0516/c90000-20315544.html