Zhang Siran sat down with a famous lyricist and former member of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which contributed to the War to Resist US aggression and Aid Korea.

The Song of Red Star is known to every Chinese national. Its lyrics were written by 90-year-old war veteran Wu Dawei. In 1952, he joined the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and fought in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea for five years. After the war, he stayed in the army as a lyricist.

WU DAWEI, Lyricist and War Veteran "The Song of Red Star was written in 1973, when I was 40. It's the theme song for the film Sparkling Red Star. When reading the film script, I immediately built emotional connections with the protagonist, who grows up in the army and strengthens the belief in our path. Thus, I put the word Red Star in every line of the lyrics. It was later adopted into the textbooks for school children."

Wu Dawei always finds the life and experiences of soldiers as his source of inspiration. He also composed the lyrics of another beloved song in China  Where the Peach Blossoms Bloom.

WU DAWEI, Lyricist and War Veteran "I visited the soldiers guarding the nation's northern border in 1969. It was minus 40 degrees Celcius. In a world of ice and snow, the breath they took through their masks even froze their eyebrows. I asked a young man what the cold felt like. He said it was like being scratched and bitten by cats. I then asked how he managed in such harsh conditions. He told me that he's from the South, and in his hometown, the cherry blossoms should have bloomed. Seeing the snowflakes all around, like the petals, made him think of home and warmed his heart. The story touched us all very deeply. All Chinese love cherry blossoms, and every Chinese person can relate to the sheer will of safeguarding our nation and home."

Wu Dawei retired in the year 2000, but continues to compose. He hopes to inspire the youth today with his memories and endeavors.

WU DAWEI, Lyricist and War Veteran "This tea mug was a gift to us, the Volunteer Army. I took it back and put it on my library desk. It reminds me of my comrades who sacrificed their young lives on the Korean Peninsula. I strive to make every day count to remember them. I hope this generation of youth can seize the chance of today's peace and make our motherland prosperous."

ZHANG SIRAN, Dandong City "These heroes will never die, so long as their tunes live on. Their stories, commemorated by the lyrics, help us cherish and safeguard today's peace and prosperity. Zhang Siran, CGTN, Dandong City, Liaoning Province."