Dressed in a military uniform and adorned with medals, 92-year-old veteran Jin Donghui recently paid respects to his comrades-in-arms at the Chinese People's Volunteer Army Martyrs' Cemetery in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

His visit came just before Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, the time for Chinese people to show respect to their ancestors by cleaning their tombs and leaving offerings.

As Jin entered the cemetery, his steps were measured, yet his posture remained upright.

After the outbreak of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), Jin crossed the Yalu River with the troops as a translator. He endured two years and nine months of fierce battles, and many of his comrades died in combat.

"The heroic spirit of the volunteer army is immortal," Jin said. "Heroes have never truly left, and their spirit is passed down from generation to generation."