Fallen warriors honored in solemn ceremony

On Saturday, a burial ceremony was held in Shenyang, Liaoning province, for the 12th set of remains of Chinese soldiers who died during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53). The remains of 30 soldiers were transported from South Korea to Shenyang on Friday by a Y-20 strategic transport plane of the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Led by Peng Dehuai, commander in chief of the Chinese People's Volunteers army, nearly 2.9 million Chinese soldiers fought in the conflict. More than 197,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians recruited by the CPV died in combat.

The ceremony began at 10 am on Saturday. With PLA honor guards standing watch, ceremonial soldiers marched in unison, escorting the coffins of the 30 martyrs into the memorial square of the CPV martyrs' cemetery. The national anthem was played and sung.

Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia delivered the eulogy. All attendees bowed three times to the remains, and 27 honor guards fired 12 shots in succession to pay their respects.

More than 300 people attended the ceremony, including government representatives, military personnel, veterans, families of the fallen soldiers, students and local residents.

Zhao Jingcheng, a tourist from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, said the flowers, fruits and candies placed in front of each grave showed that the country and people have not forgotten the fallen.

"They are the most lovable people," Zhao said.

Photographer Liu Naipeng, who has documented multiple repatriations of CPV soldiers' remains, said capturing such moments is unforgettable.

"Every time I press the shutter, I feel immense respect as I welcome the heroes in my heart back home," Liu said.

The remains were buried at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang. Wang Chunjie, a staff member at the cemetery, said she welcomes the heroes' remains back each year. After the ceremony, she arranged flowers in front of the wall bearing the soldiers' names.

"As a guardian of these martyrs, I am committed to sharing their stories with more people and passing on the spirit. This is the best tribute we can offer to these heroes," Wang said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the CPV's participation in the war, which lasted two years and nine months.

Over the past 12 years, a total of 1,011 CPV martyrs' remains have been brought back from South Korea.

The identification and comparison process for the first 11 batches of the remains of 981 Chinese soldiers who died during the war and were returned from South Korea has been completed, with the names and family members of 28 martyrs confirmed, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs said.