Solders jump to rescue above Maoxian county, Sichuan province, after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 14, 2008. In the past decade, the People's Liberation Army has been an important part of China's development. In 2003, when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the nation, the army built Xiaotangshan Hospital in seven days and nights; after the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, the army ran to the rescue and saved many lives; during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Shanghai 2010 World Expo, the army helped maintain security. [Photo/Xinhua]  

Photo taken in May 2012 shows a Chinese aircraft carrier cruising for a test on the sea. China's first aircraft carrier was delivered and commissioned to the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Sept 25, 2012. The carrier, with the name Liaoning and hull number 16, was officially handed over to the Navy at a ceremony held on a naval base in Northeast China's Dalian Port. In the past decade, the People's Liberation Army has been an important part of China's development. In 2003, when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the nation, the army built Xiaotangshan Hospital in seven days and nights; after the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, the army ran to the rescue and saved many lives; during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Shanghai 2010 World Expo, the army helped maintain security. [Photo/Xinhua]