Representatives of Chinese martyrs' families, honored guests among the 50,000 observers in Beijing for the V-Day commemorations, expressed their profound pride and aspirations for the nation's future.
A grand gathering with a military parade was held on Wednesday morning in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Before the military parade, the military band's performance of songs including "Along the Songhua River" and "On the Taihang Mountains" evoked memories of wartime and the glorious history of the Chinese soldiers who remained invincible despite arduous conditions, according to Li Kaicheng, grandson of Li Kenong who was a founding general of the People's Republic of China.
"Now that our equipment has been modernized, I feel it's like adding wings to a tiger. In his parade address, President Xi Jinping stated that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has always been a heroic force fully worthy of the trust of the Party and the people. I find this remark profoundly meaningful. Our predecessors can rest assured -- our country and our military have worthy successors who will uphold the glorious traditions of the PLA and live up to the mission in the new era," said Li.
Hu Qing, granddaughter of Cai Bingyan, a general during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said the grand event held deep significance for the family members of Chinese heroes who fought in the war.
"I am truly thrilled to participate in this parade ceremony as the descendant of a martyr. If our predecessors were still here, they would have been deeply moved to see this parade. Though they sacrificed their lives, the country and the people have not forgotten them. Our invitation to attend this ceremony today is the highest honor the nation bestows upon them. What they wished to see, we have witnessed for them. As descendants, we should cherish the current peace and safeguard the peaceful nation they secured with their blood," she said.
"As a descendant of martyrs, the fact that I have the opportunity to be here is a testament to the respect and admiration people hold for them. If possible today, I would display the only existing photo of my grandfather, grandmother, and mother together at this occasion, so that they may join me in witnessing the might and grandeur of our People's Liberation Army and the prosperity and strength of our nation. The technological advancements, the power of our military, and the high quality of living standards are beyond what their generation could have imagined. I believe all the martyrs would be gratified seeing this spectacle. We too can draw strength from this, learn from them, and contribute our part to the nation and its people," said Sha Feng, grandson of Zuo Quan, a military commander of the army led by the Communist Party of China.
Representatives of martyrs' families attend China's V-Day gathering
