On a winter morning, the warm sunshine shines through the clouds towards the Martyrs Cemetery in Malipo, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Rows of pine and cypress trees, adorned with dewdrops, appear even more verdant under the rising sun. Offering flowers to the martyrs! ”Accompanied by the majestic national anthem, the participants of the 2025 Yunnan University Military Skills Competition stood in front of the martyrs' tombstones in an orderly manner under the guidance of the host, presenting flowers in their hands. Yunnan University of Science and Technology Normal College and others won the first prize in the undergraduate group, while Yunnan Sports Vocational and Technical College and others won the first prize in the specialized group... After the flower laying ceremony, the 2025 Yunnan Military Skills Competition for College Students came to an end with warm applause. This competition is jointly organized by military and civilian units in Yunnan Province. 78 universities and 1157 students from the province gathered at the foot of Laoshan Mountain to engage in fierce competition. In the past, national defense education in universities was mainly carried out through lectures or organizing students to visit red venues, and students lacked intuitive feelings and firsthand experience. Holding military skills competitions not only allows students to experience the charm of military projects up close, but also enriches the forms of national defense education. ”A staff member from the Education Department of Yunnan Province told reporters that Laoshan has forged the Laoshan spirit with "hard work and selfless dedication" as its core, and has now become a red education base for cultivating the national defense awareness of the younger generation. The theme of this competition is "Promoting the Spirit of Laoshan and Continuing the Red Bloodline". The venue is specially selected next to the red landmark, aiming to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of national defense education in various universities, further strengthen students' national defense concepts, military skills, organizational discipline, and teamwork spirit, guide them to learn about the heroic deeds of martyrs, and appreciate the noble spirit of fighting to the end for the country and the people. It is reported that this competition includes four events: grenade throwing, individual tactics, light weapon simulation shooting, and 8-kilometer hiking, highlighting the basics, applicability, and practicality. The reporter was on the field of competition and saw camouflage nets, ground pile nets, and smoke canisters everywhere, creating a strong atmosphere of practical combat. In the grenade throwing competition, retired and returning college student Li Dianqi from Yunnan University successfully threw three simulated hand grenades in one go, creating beautiful parabolas in the air and landing farther and farther each time. This fully demonstrated his excellent military skills trained in the army and won applause from the audience. Retired soldier Yang Huaneng, who served as the assessment referee, told reporters: "This year's competition has increased the difficulty and intensity compared to previous years, especially in tactical basic movements and hiking events. The requirements and standards for the movements have been set, and the hiking distance has been increased, which is a great test of the physical strength, willpower, and mental quality of the participating athletes. The exciting competition has also planted the seeds of joining the army and serving the country in the hearts of students. Yang Dongxin, a student from Baoshan Vocational College, led 9 team members to participate in the 8-kilometer hiking competition and won the first prize. After the game, he told reporters, "The intensive training in the early stage effectively improved my abilities and qualities. However, I also realized that the effort I put in to become a qualified soldier is far from enough. In the future, I will strengthen physical exercise, study hard, and strive to fulfill my military dream as soon as possible." During the study tour held at the same time, the study mentor passionately recounted the heroic deeds of "combat hero" Han Yuekui, who rolled over landmines in battle and used his flesh and blood to open up a 3-meter-wide and 72 meter long minefield path, making the students shed tears. Competing on this land filled with heroic passion is also a spiritual baptism for us. The spirit of 'hard work and selfless dedication' of Laoshan has become a source of strength that encourages us to move forward bravely and strive hard, "said Dilixiati, a participant from Yunnan University, expressing the common voice of all students. Through this competition to promote training and learning to forge the soul, everyone has enhanced their national defense awareness, improved their military literacy, and gained a clearer understanding of the significance of participating in national defense education. ”The leaders of the Political Work Bureau of Yunnan Military Region stated that in the next step, they will continue to strengthen military civilian cooperation, timely summarize experience, and plan around improving the schedule and rules of competitions, increasing competition projects, and adding national defense cultural activities. They will create a strong atmosphere of caring about national defense, loving national defense, building national defense, and defending national defense in various universities. (New Society)