Red flags, eagles and the east wind: how Mao Zedong inspired Chinese missile names

Naming of strategic weapons like the Dongfeng and Julang series draws on poetry and quotes from the People’s Republic founder

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Intercontinental ballistic missile the DF-31BJ made its debut at the September 3 parade in Beijing. Its name, Dongfeng, means “east wind” and was said to have been inspired by a 1957 speech by Mao Zedong. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:00pm, 16 Sep 2025

As the West speculated about the capabilities of Chinese missiles seen at its huge military parade in Beijing this month, it was their names – inspired by the words of Mao Zedong – that drew attention in China.

The People’s Liberation Army revealed some of its newest weaponry during the September 3 parade that marked 80 years since the end of World War II.

Among the most talked about were the latest additions to the Dongfeng series of strategic missiles, with the land-based DF-61, DF-31BJ and DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles all making their debut.

Dongfeng, meaning “east wind”, was the name given to the first of these missiles in 1958. According to state media, its designers have said that the name was inspired by a famous speech given by Mao, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China.

“Either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind,” Mao said in the 1957 speech in Moscow, referring to communist China and the capitalist West.

Chinese leader Mao Zedong (right) and Soviet military leader Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov salute while reviewing an honour guard during Mao’s visit to Moscow in 1957. Photo: Getty Images

The names of other Chinese missiles were also inspired by Mao’s words.

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