From April 21st to 22nd, hundreds of cadres and workers from Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Co., Ltd., Tangshan Caofeidian Shoushi Industrial Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Construction Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Automation Information Technology Co., Ltd., Shougang Mining Corporation, Caofeidian Construction Investment Co., Ltd. and other units visited the Tangshan Destroyer of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and made close contact with this mighty “great destroyer”.

After being moored for the day at Shougang Jingtang’s Finished Product Wharf in Bohai Bay, the dawn light shone on the Tangshan Destroyer. The busy port was decorated with many Five-starred Red Flags, and the entire scene was like a picture of parents arranging a feast for their children who were travelling or residing in other places far from home. With smiles on their faces, the naval officers and men enthusiastically guided every visitor. The Shougang employees entered the arena in an orderly manner and boarded the destroyer along the gangway to visit and take pictures. The army and people were united as one, ensuring that the whole activity progressed smoothly.

The power of the bomb bay naval gun was fully demonstrated, revealing the majesty of the destroyer, and the naval officers and men were bright and brave, showing their will to defend the country. Led by the guide, the Shougang employees were introduced to advanced weapons and equipment such as the main gun and anti-ship missile launcher, visited all kinds of equipment and cabins, listened to the guide’s introduction to the glorious history of the Tangshan Destroyer, gained a deep understanding of the mission and high fighting spirit of PLAN in the new era as they strive for strength at sea, and simultaneously felt deeply proud of the docking of the Tangshan Destroyer at Jingtang Wharf. At the scene, the naval officers and men also demonstrated several items such as semaphore flags, knots and anti-virus and fireproof clothing for workers.

Wang Huiyu of Shougang Jingtang’s Cold Rolling Operation Department stood at the Finished Product Wharf and said to the reporter with enthusiasm, “On this visit to the Tangshan Destroyer, I deeply feel the majestic power of Chinese manufacturing and military strength. The iron and steel industry is an important engine promoting China’s industrial development. As a Shougang employee, I will strive to implement the Group’s strategic deployment to ‘promote technological innovation to become the first competitiveness of Shougang’, apply more innovative and intelligent technological achievements to on-site production practice, and continue to contribute my efforts to Shougang Jingtang, the flagship of the Chinese iron and steel industry.” Shi Xuesong, Head of Pre-ironmaking Automation Maintenance of Beijing Shougang Automation Information Technology Co., Ltd., said, “Today, I am honored to board the Tangshan Destroyer on this visit, and I feel the confidence brought to our people by the development of the motherland’s military strength. When I heard that there was a destroyer in active service berthed in Shougang’s own port, I was extremely shocked. As a Shougang employee, the Group’s rapid development also fills me with pride. In my future work, I will actively learn about cutting-edge technology, contribute to the development of Jingtang’s intelligent factory and make more people proud of Shougang.”

Li Dong, Assistant Manager of Tangshan Caofeidian Shoushi Industrial Co., Ltd., said, “The destroyer and the city have the same name, and the destroyer and the people have one heart. Seeing the destroyer from my hometown in Shougang’s own port makes me feel full of pride. I will focus on my work and do my best for the development of Shougang and the country.” Zhang Xiaoming, Safety Director of the First Metallurgical Construction Engineering Branch of Beijing Shougang Construction Group Co., Ltd., said, “When I stand on the deck of such large industrial machinery and equipment, gazing at the Finished Product Wharf built by my fellow Shougang employees, I’m very excited. As an employee of Shougang in the new era, I will continue to do my job well, vigorously promote the spirit of the navy, constantly motivate and improve myself, keep my feet on the ground, keep pace with the times and contribute my own strength to Shougang’s high-quality development!”

Many Shougang employees who had joined the army and served the country also participated in the previous welcome ceremony for the Tangshan Destroyer. Although they have taken off their military uniforms and put on their work clothes, they still exude the military spirit of “retiring without shedding the soldier spirit”.

As a veteran and senior “military fan” for more than 20 years, Wang Wenze from Purchasing Center of Beijing Shougang Co., Ltd. said to reporters with emotion, “Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to see our Chinese destroyers put out to sea. Unexpectedly, not only can I realize this dream today, but I can also board the Tangshan Destroyer as a Tangshanee. The motherland’s navy is developing, and I will also strive in my work for the development of Shougang and the revitalization of the country, making contributions to Shougang’s mission to serve and strengthen the country through steel and iron.” Hou Zhigang, a photojournalist at the Shougang News Center, once served in PLAN. At the moment when the Tangshan Destroyer’s whistle sounded as it entered the port, he was so excited that tears filled his eyes. He said, “The three comrades waving semaphore flags on the barge and the staff team welcoming the officers and men with loud gongs and drums on the shore of the port were a true portrayal of the friendly relationship between the army and the people. After visiting the Tangshan Destroyer, as a navy veteran, I have a deep sense of the rapid development of the motherland’s military power, and as an employee of Shougang, I am sincerely happy and proud of its own rapid development.” He Zheng from the Shougang News Center is also a veteran. He waited at the port for several days, and since the outline of the Tangshan Destroyer first appeared, he filmed the destroyer’s way home. He said, “In the past, I used to serve the motherland with passion and a military uniform, but now I use the camera in my hand to record the progress of Shougang. This visit is not only an opportunity to recall my past military life, but it also inspires me to uphold my original intentions and position myself to make my own contributions to Shougang and realize my own life value.”

After leaving the destroyer, the Shougang cadres and employees were still interested in it, and the open space beside the bow was crowded with employees taking pictures. Everyone said that the Tangshan Destroyer, as a PLAN destroyer in active service, chose to “go home” to Shougang Jingtang’s Finished Product Wharf, which made Shougang employees from “mountain” to “sea” feel proud. In their future work, they will continue to master cutting-edge technology, forge ahead, create the miracle and brilliance of Shougang in the new era, and contribute to realizing the Chinese path to modernization.