Since 2014, China and South Korea have jointly carried out the handover of the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs in South Korea for 10 consecutive years and transferred the remains of 938 Chinese soldiers to their motherland.

China welcomes return of CPV soldiers' remains for 10 consecutive years

Shenyang - The remains of 25 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War were returned to China on Thursday from the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 10 such repatriations in a row, thanks to a handover agreement signed between the two countries.

At around 11:30 a.m., a Y-20 military transport aircraft carrying the remains and belongings of the fallen soldiers landed at the Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Shortly after the plane was welcomed with a water cannon salute, soldiers carrying the caskets of the fallen heroes slowly walked off the plane and a reception ceremony was held at the airport.

Following the placement of the caskets, which were covered by five-star red flags, representatives at the ceremony stood in solemn silence and bowed three times to the soldiers' remains.

The remains of 913 CPV martyrs were returned to China from the ROK between 2014 and 2022.

"It is due to their selfless dedication, fearlessness and sacrifice that we now have the peaceful and stable life we enjoy. It makes me understand even more the value of peace," said Qiu Yutong, a middle school student from Shenyang.

The Korean War broke out in June 1950, eight months after the People's Republic of China was founded. The flames of war soon reached the border river of Yalu and wreaked havoc in Dandong, then known as Andong, with buildings bombed and civilians killed.

At the request of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Chinese ground forces under the CPV entered the Korean Peninsula on Oct. 19, 1950, and fought the first battle on Oct. 25.

A total of 2.9 million CPV soldiers from across the country joined the war that lasted almost three years, with more than 360,000 soldiers killed or injured.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the war.

On the way to the cemetery, the motorcade carrying the remains of the CPV martyrs drove past many residents who packed the street to take part in the solemn procession.

The CPV martyrs' remains will be buried at a cemetery in Shenyang, where a burial ceremony will be held on Friday.

"The martyrs dedicated everything to the motherland and the people. They deserve to be remembered," said Li Qingze, an interpreter who works at the cemetery.

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China, S. Korea hold ceremony to transfer remains of Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War

Incheon, South Korea - China and South Korea held here a ceremony on Thursday to transfer the remains and belongings of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War.

This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2023 shows China and South Korea holding a ceremony to transfer the remains and belongings of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War. (Photo/Cao Can, Xinhua)

The 10th handover ceremony was held at the Incheon International Airport, west of the capital Seoul, attended by Chinese Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming and South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho as well as officials with relevant ministries.

During the ceremony, representatives of China and South Korea signed a handover document.

Xing covered the coffins of the martyrs with China's national flags, and the Chinese side held a memorial service.

The Chinese honor guards escorted the coffins to an air force plane, which would take the fallen heroes back home.

At this year's ceremony, Chang said since 2014, China and South Korea have jointly carried out the handover of the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs in South Korea for 10 consecutive years and transferred the remains of 938 Chinese soldiers to their motherland, following humanitarian principles and carrying out practical and friendly cooperation.

The Chinese side appreciated the unremitting efforts made by the South Korean side, he added.

This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2023 shows China and South Korea holding a ceremony to transfer the remains and belongings of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War. (Photo/Cao Can, Xinhua)

As inseparable neighbors and partners, China and South Korea face each other across the sea, Chang said, adding that in the face of profound changes unseen in a century, the two countries should uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, stick to the right direction of friendly cooperation and jointly push for sustained, sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

China is willing to further strengthen communication and coordination with South Korea, deepen friendly cooperation, promote cooperation in the work related to the remains of CPV martyrs in South Korea, and bring more CPV martyrs back to their motherland at an early date, he said.

All members of the Chinese delegation, officials with the Chinese embassy in South Korea, representatives of Chinese students and Chinese companies in South Korea as well as officials with the South Korean defense ministry, foreign ministry and presidential office attended the ceremony.