At 95 and 96 years young, Wang Kechang and Zhang Xiuju have witnessed nearly a century of China’s transformation – from wartime struggles to becoming a global powerhouse. 🚄 Their eyes welled up this September while watching Beijing’s grand military parade, a symbol of what Zhang calls "peace built faster than bullet trains."
Both survivors of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, they’ve seen firsthand the nation’s rise. "Every firework at the parade felt like a promise kept," Wang told reporters. Zhang added her lifelong wish: "I’ll keep breathing until I see all Chinese people united – including our family in the Taiwan region." 🇨🇳
Their sentiment echoes across generations. As China strides toward national rejuvenation in 2025, cross-strait ties remain a key focus. Analysts note growing cultural exchanges this year between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, from tech collaborations to viral TikTok dance challenges bridging youth communities. 💃📱
While challenges persist, Wang leaves us with wisdom only nine decades can bring: "History’s tide always flows toward unity. We’ve outrun invaders and poverty – nothing can stop this journey home."
