President recalls bravery, heroism of Chinese soldiers during war in Korea
People across China have been inspired by the remarks President Xi Jinping made on Friday marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers entering the Korean Peninsula to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).
In a speech delivered at a grand gathering in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recalled the bravery and heroism of Chinese soldiers in the war. He stressed the significance and long-term effects of the conflict, reiterated China's determination to safeguard its rights and interests, and urged the Chinese people to continue preserving this spirit of striving, building the nation into a strong power and contributing to world peace.
Xie Jing'an, a veteran of the Chinese People's Volunteers who worked in China's space industry after the war, said that the gathering on Friday was the highest honor for all Chinese soldiers involved in the war.
"I was moved by the president's words and was very grateful to him. He said what I always wished to say. His words reminded me of the days I fought in those fierce battles," said Xie, now a Beijing resident. "I was a farmer before joining the military. I didn't go to school because my family was very poor. It was through the Party and the armed forces that I gained knowledge, and they gave me a job in the space industry after the war."
Xie's wartime experiences encouraged him to work hard and strive to overcome difficulties in his civilian job, he said, and that he always remembers that he was once a Chinese People's Volunteers soldier.
Fan Huilin, a resident of Fuzhou, Jiangxi province, and granddaughter of a war veteran, said that after hearing Xi's speech, her love for her grandfather became stronger and deeper.
"My grandfather took part in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. He has always been my hero and my pride. I will learn from him and do my part to make this country stronger and better," she said.
Qiao Wenjuan, a retiree in Luoyang, Henan province, said she regularly arranges for volunteers to visit war veterans to take care of them, and that what Xi said on Friday has injected new momentum into that voluntary undertaking.
"I will continue promoting the heroic spirit of our soldiers among students and residents, and will continue giving my support to our armed forces," she said.
Shang Lei, an officer in the People's Liberation Army Air Force whose unit took part in the war 70 years ago, said he and his men will learn from the war heroes of his unit and will make all-out efforts to hone their combat abilities.
