Old memories come fresh 70 years later 

Source: CCTV.com

10-23-2006 14:28

Now we turn to our series report of the Long March. And today we visit Yan'an, cradle of Chinese Revolution Nowadays, an overwhelming majority of Chinese people learn about the Long March from history books. But Liu Tianyou is an exception. Her personal experience in the Long March 70 years ago is still fresh in her mind. Liu Ming reports.

91-year-old Liu Tianyou lives in the city of Yan'an. She settled down in the city in 1936 when the Long March ended. As a medical worker during the historic event, Liu remembers the hardships of those difficult years.

Liu Tianyou said, “We had a tough life in those days. I witnessed many illnesses and deaths. I experienced hunger, thirst, cold, heavy loads and attacks from the enemy. We kept walking in the daytime and couldn't sleep well at night. I felt exhausted and weak all the time.”

In August 1935, Liu Tianyou joined the Long March in Sichuan Province where she climbed over the famous snowy Jiajin Mountain and walked across two vast swamps. Snow mountains and wetlands are regarded as the most cruel parts of the March. Harsh natural environments claimed many young lives.

Liu also said, “That was a nightmare. But we had to make the Long March in order to win the final victory. I am lucky to have survived the Long March and enjoying a happy life here in Yan'an. From time to time, I miss my long-march comrades who have passed away.”

Scores of famous martyrs of the Long March rest at the Siba Cemetery in Yan'an. This landmark place in the city has become an educational base for patriotism in China.

Liu Ming from CCTV said, “Seven decades ago, countless soldiers went north to defend their country with their bravery, blood and lives. Seventy years later, their touching stories and unyielding spirit are inspiring people to go forward in the new long march of building a modern China.”

Editor:Sun Luying