Lyuliang spirit lives through soldier's old stories

Some of the other reporters and I wanted to buy a bunch of flowers before interviewing Liu Bingtao, a 90-year-old army veteran of the 120th division of the Eighth Route Army, as part of my news report in Xingxian county in Lyuliang city in North China's Shanxi province.

However, our plan failed since the flower shop wasn't open when we got there. So, empty-handed, we went directly to Liu's house where his wife - a very amiable 85-year-old woman - received us at the door.

Liu soon came out of his bedroom to meet us. I found it difficult to believe he is 90 years old since he looked in good shape. I would have guessed he was closer to his 70s if I hadn't been told his real age.

He started to tell us stories about his time as a soldier, about how he risked his life buying materials from enemy-occupied territory and of the deaths of his battle companions.

As he told the stories, I tried to read his expressions. He seemed at peace recounting the memories.

After the war, Liu stayed in his hometown and did financial work for a number of local institutions.

In 2017, President Xi Jinping met and talked with some elderly former soldiers when he visited Xingxian county. Liu was one of them.

"I was standing in the front and was the first one to shake hands with the president. I was a little nervous in the beginning, but the president was very nice and approachable, so I soon felt relaxed," says Liu.

He still remembers what Xi said to him and how he replied.

"I talked about the changes in Xingxian over the years and promised to pass the Lyuliang spirit on to the next generation."

Liu says he likes reading and watching news to keep up with current events. He is very familiar with China's policies and showed us a piece of paper on his desk. It was covered with notes he makes when he watches TV.

What impressed me the most is Liu's sharpness of mind. I can only guess that it is related to his continuous learning. It's also probably why he is often invited to schools and institutions to give speeches and lectures about the Lyuliang spirit, government policies and poverty alleviation.

When we had the interview, Liu's wife sat beside him and helped to show Liu's photos, certificates and medals to us, seeming to be a very quiet but supportive companion to him. The couple got married when Liu was 23, and they've remained at each other's side for 67 years.

"When I was young, I often saw the couple walk in the street. Whenever you see one of them, you will soon see the other. They really are an excellent example of an affectionate couple," says Bai Xuping, a local who grew up there and became director of Xingxian county's information office.

Although I interviewed quite a number of people during my five-day trip to Xingxian county and learned about its red past, Liu is the person who has the closest link to its history. With its profound past and careful plans for the future, I believe Xingxian's red tourism is in full swing.