Heroes recall wartime courage and bravery

Editor's note: Almost 85 years ago, the Japanese army engineered the September 18th Incident near Shenyang, Liaoning province, and launched an invasion of Northeast China. This was followed by a full-scale invasion, triggering the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). Three veterans of the war, with a combined age of more than 300 years, spoke to our reporter and recounted what it was like to take up arms against the invaders.

Zhang Daqian has had a remarkable life, not the least in its longevity. He is a carpenter who experienced the horrors of war, survived, and now, at more than a century old, the 102-year-old reflects on a life rich in experience beyond the imagination of many.

Working with wood, he said, required a calculated approach, be it shaving or crafting the piece, being careful not to waste any and knowing when to stop. "But none of these 'calculations' compare to the one I made decades ago, on the battlefield in Shanxi, in northern China," he said.