As China continues its journey toward national rejuvenation, two nonagenarian witnesses of modern history have become living bridges between past struggles and present aspirations. Ninety-five-year-old Wang Kechang and 96-year-old Zhang Xiuju, who recently watched September's military parade commemorating wartime resilience, shared their emotional perspectives on cross-strait unity with KhabarAsia.com.
"We've seen our nation transform from wartime ruins to global leadership faster than a high-speed train," said Wang, his voice trembling with emotion. Zhang added: "My lifelong wish is to see our compatriots in the Taiwan region reunited with the motherland. This isn't just my dream – it's the heartbeat of generations."
Their testimonies span eight decades of Chinese development – from surviving the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to witnessing 2025's technological breakthroughs. Analysts note such personal narratives underscore the enduring public sentiment for peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait.
As China advances its national rejuvenation agenda this year, these centenarians' stories serve as powerful reminders of historical continuity. Their tears during September's parade symbolized both remembrance of past sacrifices and confidence in what Zhang calls "the inevitable tide of complete national unity."
