Veterans relive struggle against invaders

At 100 years old, veteran Cui Gong vividly recalls joining the Eighth Route Army, another CPC-led military force, in 1942 during the intense Japanese invasion of China. "It was around June or July," said Cui, originally from a village in Pinglu county, Shanxi province.

He was only 14 or 15 years old when he was drawn to the army's publicity efforts promoting the Party's policies. "Children like us formed the Children's Corps," Cui recalled. Recruits were typically aged 15 to 18.

"The conditions were tough. We lacked weapons; even veterans carried old rifles," Cui said.

"The Japanese had Type 38 rifles. We sometimes used sorghum stalks, shaped to resemble bullets and inserted into cartridge belts, making them look loaded when they weren't."

Cui served with the Eighth Route Army through its most difficult period until Japan's surrender in 1945. "The commander informed us, 'Japan has surrendered'. You will be transferred to your local jurisdiction," he said. "People were overjoyed, embracing with hoes in hand. Oh, what happiness."