When That Day Comes


When That Day Comes, also translated as As the War Approaches, is a Chinese patriotic song written by the People's Liberation Army General Political Department in 2005, with lyrics written by Wang Xiaoling. The song was created in response to a 2004 order by the Propaganda Department of the General Political Department to bolster the morale of military personnel and is about the People's Volunteer Army during the Korean War. The song was inaugurated by the People's Liberation Army on 29 July 2005, in time for the celebrations of the 78th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, at the Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing.

Lyrics

The lyrics of 'When That Day Comes' represents the preparedness of the People's Liberation Army in the case of a potential war and the willingness of soldiers to serve in the defense of China.
中文原文English Translation

这是一个晴朗的早晨
鸽哨声伴着起床号音
但是这世界并不安宁
和平年代也有激荡的风云
看那军旗飞舞的方向
前进着战车、舰队和机群
上面也飘扬着我们的名字
年轻士兵渴望建立功勋
准备好了吗,士兵兄弟们
当那一天真的来临
也许来不及告别那亲人
为了祖国我要勇敢前进
准备好了吗,士兵兄弟们
当那一天真的来临
放心吧祖国,放心吧亲人
为了胜利我要勇敢前进

This is a morning so bright and clear
Pigeon whistles blend with bugle's call
But the world is not tranquil
Even in peacetime, storm clouds fall
See where our battle flags are streaming
Leading the tanks, fleets, squadrons on
There fly our names upon, gleaming
Young soldiers marching toward glory's dawn
Are you ready, brother soldiers
When that day finally comes?
Perhaps no time for farewell to loved ones—
For the motherland, I will bravely march on!
Are you ready, brother soldiers
When that day finally comes?
Fear not, my motherland, fear not, loved ones
For victory, I will bravely march on!