The historical war epic film "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" reflects the Chinese People's Volunteers' (CPV) heroic fights for peace in the 1950-1953 War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea that should be remembered forever, the film's director Chen Kaige has said.
The film, leading China's box office so far during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season that started on October 1, re-creates the intertwined struggles of battlefield combat and tense diplomatic negotiation during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, also known as the Korean War.
As the finale of Chen's "The Volunteers" trilogy after "The Volunteers: To the War" and "The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death", the film highlights the sacrifices made by the Chinese people's volunteer army troops in their pursuit of peace during the war.
Premiered in Beijing on Sept. 27, the film depicts fierce battles at the Triangle Hill and Kumsong, as well as armistice negotiations at the Panmunjom.
"I think it is important to create this film to record the Chinese People's Volunteers' overseas battles in the 1950s. They made so much sacrifice to help people in that country to live in long-lasting peace. The contributions and merits of the Chinese People's Volunteers should never be forgotten," Chen said in an interview with China Central Television aired on Sunday.
"The depth of the negotiations was shining with the light of Chinese wisdom. The culture, spirit and temperament of the Chinese people are the things more important for me to present," he said.
Fallen Chinese Korea War soldiers should be remembered for their sacrifice: film director
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
