The Chinese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) paid tribute to Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) soldiers who lost their lives in severely cold under minus 40-degree Celsius in a campaign near the country's Lake Changjin during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).
The event occurred before the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese festival on April 4 this year. It is also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day to honor ancestors and remember the dead by visiting their graves to clean tombstones, offer sacrifices, and pay respects.
The staff members from the embassy visited a CPV martyrs' cemetery located on a hillside on the northeast side of the lake overlooking the battlefield. The cemetery contains seven collective tombs that hold the remains of 3,089 martyrs, with the names of several martyrs engraved on the back of the tombstones.
During the campaign, the CPV soldiers defeated the "Polar Bear regiment" of the U.S. Army and seized its flag.
In the freezing temperature, Ambassador Wang Yajun and the embassy staff members laid flowers and offered libations at the martyrs' tombstones.
In a separate tribute at another CPV martyrs' cemetery near the lake, diplomats from the Chinese embassy and consulate honored the martyrs by placing flowers on the tombstones and delivering heartfelt eulogies.
The Korean War broke out in June 1950, eight months after the People's Republic of China was founded. At the request of the DPRK, Chinese ground forces under the CPV entered the Korean Peninsula on Oct 19, 1950. A total of 2.9 million CPV soldiers joined the war that lasted almost three years, with more than 360,000 killed or injured.
Chinese martyrs in Korean War honored in battlefield site in DPRK
China has pledged additional emergency humanitarian aid to Myanmar following the devastating earthquake, aimed at supporting ongoing relief efforts with a focus on urgent needs such as medical supplies and reconstruction, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Beijing, Lin outlined the details of the aid and summarized China's immediate involvement in the search and rescue operations following the March 28 earthquake.
"Since the outbreak of the earthquake, Chinese rescue forces have rallied around and saved lives against time. China was the first country that announced emergency assistance to Myanmar, sent rescue forces to the country, and set up settlement centers in the affected areas. The Chinese rescue team found the first trapped survivor. More than 30 rescue teams of over 600 members rushed to Myanmar for rescue work and we offered several batches of supplies, which demonstrates China's speed, contribution and kindness. This is warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people in Myanmar," said Lin.
Lin also emphasized the significance of the "pauk-phaw" friendship -- a Myanmar term for siblings - in the context of China's ongoing support.
"Myanmar's disaster response work has moved to epidemic prevention and control, as well as recovery and reconstruction. As a friendly neighbor and 'pauk-phaw' brother, China has decided to send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies, which include the most needed refined oil, prefabricated houses, operating rooms, medicines, and vaccines. China will also dispatch medical and epidemic prevention experts for treatment and disinfection, as well as experts to examine, assess, reinforce, and repair affected buildings and cultural relics. A merciless disaster brings the best out of humanity. China will continue to promote the China-Myanmar 'pauk-phaw' friendship and, upholding the spirit of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, help the people in Myanmar overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes," Lin added.
The earthquake, which struck Mandalay on March 28, has claimed 3,649 lives, injured 5,018 people, and left 145 missing, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council on Wednesday.
China to provide additional emergency aid to Myanmar following earthquake: spokesman
