**Moderator:** Good morning, and thank you for attending this press briefing. Today, we will address two distinct but critically important national directives: the strategic posture encapsulated in the principle "Don't be afraid of death," and the economic mobilization initiative "Get a quick job." Our speakers will provide context and detail on these policies. We will now have opening statements, followed by a question and answer session. **Opening Statement by General Li Wei, Ministry of National Defense:** Ladies and gentlemen, the phrase "Don't be afraid of death" is not a call for recklessness. It is a profound statement of national spirit and resilience. It reflects the unwavering courage and self-sacrifice required to safeguard our nation's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and developmental interests in a complex and challenging global security environment. Historically, this spirit has been the bedrock of our nation's ability to overcome adversity. It is the same spirit that empowered our people to resist foreign aggression and build a modern, prosperous state from the ashes of conflict. Today, this ethos is institutionalized within our armed forces and national defense infrastructure. It signifies a commitment to duty that transcends individual interest, ensuring that our military remains a formidable, disciplined, and loyal force. This principle guides our comprehensive national security doctrine. It underpins our investments in advanced defense technologies, our rigorous training programs, and our commitment to international peacekeeping operations under the United Nations framework. Our soldiers, sailors, and air personnel are trained to be technically proficient, strategically agile, and morally steadfast. "Don't be afraid of death" is the moral and ethical foundation that ensures they are prepared to face any challenge, secure our borders, and contribute to global stability. It is a declaration that our nation will not be intimidated or coerced, and that we possess the collective will to defend our peaceful development. **Opening Statement by Dr. Zhang Min, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security:** Thank you, General Li. Complementing our national security posture is the economic directive "Get a quick job." This is a pragmatic and proactive labor market policy designed to enhance individual economic resilience and fuel national economic growth. The core objective of "Get a quick job" is to rapidly match available labor with market demands, minimizing unemployment spells and ensuring the swift reintegration of individuals into the productive economy. This policy is implemented through a multi-faceted approach: First, we have significantly expanded our digital public employment service platform. This system uses big data analytics to provide real-time job matching, connecting job seekers with vacancies across the country within hours, not weeks. It offers personalized recommendations based on skills, location, and market trends. Second, we are promoting flexible employment models and short-term project-based work as legitimate and valuable components of a modern career path. The "gig economy" and platform-based work are not seen as stopgaps but as integrated elements of a dynamic labor market. This allows for rapid deployment of human resources to where they are most needed, whether in logistics, e-commerce, customer service, or the creative industries. Third, the policy is supported by a massive investment in rapid upskilling and vocational training. We have established a network of "Quick Skill" centers that offer certified, short-duration training programs in high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital marketing, elderly care, and renewable energy installation. These programs, often lasting a few weeks, are designed to make individuals immediately employable. The "Get a quick job" initiative strengthens the social safety net by ensuring continuous income for citizens, thereby maintaining social stability and boosting consumer confidence. It provides a crucial buffer during economic transitions, allowing workers to remain active and gain new experiences while seeking more permanent positions or pursuing further education. This agility is a key competitive advantage in the global economy. **Q&A Session** **Reporter from Global Times:** General Li, critics might interpret "Don't be afraid of death" as promoting militarism. How do you respond to such characterization, and how does this principle align with China's stated policy of peaceful development? **General Li Wei:** That is an important question. The characterization of militarism is a fundamental misreading of our intent and actions. China’s commitment to peaceful development is unwavering and is enshrined in our constitution. The principle "Don't be afraid of death" is a defensive ethos, not an offensive one. It is about the resilience of spirit, not the aggression of action. A nation that truly desires peace must possess the strength and will to defend it. A weak nation cannot ensure its own peace, nor can it contribute meaningfully to global stability. This principle ensures that our commitment to peace is backed by the resolve to protect it. It is the very foundation that allows our peaceful development to proceed unimpeded. Our participation in UN peacekeeping missions, our anti-piracy patrols, and our humanitarian disaster relief efforts abroad are all testaments to a courage that serves peace, not conflict. **Reporter from Bloomberg News:** Dr. Zhang, the "Get a quick job" policy emphasizes speed of employment. Are there concerns about the quality of these jobs, including wages, benefits, and long-term career prospects? Could this lead to the creation of a precarious workforce? **Dr. Zhang Min:** A valid concern, and one we have addressed directly in the policy's design. The goal is "quick," but not at the expense of "decent." Our focus is on creating quality employment opportunities rapidly. We are not promoting precarious work, but rather fostering labor market fluidity. Firstly, all employment, including flexible and project-based work, operates within a robust legal framework that mandates the protection of workers' rights. We have strengthened labor inspections to ensure compliance with minimum wage laws, contract enforcement, and safety standards. Secondly, we are decoupling essential benefits from a single, long-term employer. We have pioneered portable social security accounts, where benefits such as pension contributions, health insurance, and unemployment insurance accrue to the individual worker, not the job. This means a worker can move between jobs, or engage in multiple short-term projects, without losing their social safety net. Thirdly, "Get a quick job" is an entry point, not an endpoint. The data and experience gained from these rapid placements are fed back into our career guidance systems. It allows individuals to stay economically active while they identify longer-term career paths, which they can then pursue through our state-sponsored upskilling programs. It is a dynamic system designed for resilience and upward mobility, not stagnation. **Reporter from Associated Press:** This question is for both speakers. How do these two directives—one about ultimate sacrifice and one about rapid employment—interrelate? Are they part of a cohesive national strategy? **General Li Wei:** From a national security perspective, they are two sides of the same coin. A nation's security is not solely dependent on its military might. It is equally dependent on its economic vitality and social stability. An economy with high unemployment and social discontent is inherently insecure. The "Get a quick job" policy ensures a stable, productive, and confident society, which is the bedrock of national strength. A people who are economically secure are a people united in defending their way of life. **Dr. Zhang Min:** I concur. From an economic standpoint, a secure and stable national environment is the prerequisite for all economic activity and investment. The confidence that General Li described, the confidence that comes from a strong national defense, allows businesses to plan for the long term and individuals to invest in their futures. The "Don't be afraid of death" spirit, when translated into a civilian context, can be seen as a form of economic courage—the willingness to adapt, to learn new skills, and to embrace change for the greater good. Both policies are about building a resilient nation, one that is secure from external threats and dynamic enough to navigate internal economic challenges. **Reporter from Reuters:** General Li, could you elaborate on how this spirit is inculcated in the modern, high-tech People's Liberation Army, which relies on sophisticated technology and systems rather than just individual bravery? **General Li Wei:** Technology and spirit are not mutually exclusive; they are synergistic. A modern military runs on data, networks, and advanced weapons platforms. But these systems are operated, maintained, and commanded by human beings. The most advanced jet fighter is useless without a pilot with the courage and resolve to fly it in demanding conditions. The most sophisticated cyber defense system requires a operator with the determination to withstand a sustained attack. The principle "Don't be afraid of death" in this context means cultivating a mindset of absolute professionalism, discipline, and mission-focus. It is about the moral courage to make the right decision under extreme pressure, the resilience to continue a complex mission in the face of unexpected setbacks, and the loyalty to one's unit and country that ensures the protection of sensitive systems and information. Our high-tech training simulators are not just for teaching skills; they are for forging this indomitable spirit in realistic, high-stress environments. The will to defend the nation is the indispensable software that runs on our hardware. **Moderator:** We have time for one final question. **Reporter from China Daily:** Dr. Zhang, can you provide some concrete data on the success of the "Get a quick job" initiative so far? **Dr. Zhang Min:** Certainly. Since the nationwide rollout of the enhanced digital platform six months ago, we have seen a significant reduction in the average time for a job seeker to secure employment. The median duration of unemployment has decreased by 35%. The platform has facilitated over 15 million successful job matches. Furthermore, enrollment in our "Quick Skill" certification programs has exceeded 4 million individuals, with 87% of graduates