Soldiers learn the history of the company. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The "Red Third Company" is a unit of the 12th Army of the ground force of the People's Liberation Amy (PLA), which originated from the Huang Ma Uprising in 1927. The company has fought in more than 350 battles since establishment and has had 30 generals and a host of other heroes in its ranks.

This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of China; the 80th anniversary of the Long March; and the 10th anniversary of the Red Third Company to be established as a model of party branch construction. A reporter of chinadaily.com.cn embedded with the company in August, the month in which Army Day is celebrated, and discovered its past, present, and future, as well as its traditions and innovations. The facilities, equipment, training and learning methods have changed over the years; however, the loyalty to the party and people, the high standards and strict requirement, as well as the "fight for first" spirit has remained the same.

Tradition one: Fearless spirit

Yi Ke, a soldier of the "Red Third Company", kept a diary during the Korean War in 1952 and the diary was sent back to the Third Company in 2011. "Better a glorious death than a shameful life," Yi wrote in his diary. And the fearless spirit carries out in the company with party members as active practitioners.

Soldiers undergo training. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu Baoshi, a squad leader and also a party member, saved the life of another soldier during a rope climbing competition in Sept 2014. Wu grabbed the arm of the soldier to prevent him from falling off from the 8m high rope but dislocated his own left arm and broke his right arm in the process. As the soldier thanked him with tears in his eyes, the squad leader shook his head gently and dismissed his selfless act.