Why Has Xi Jinping Repeatedly Praised the « Liu Laozhuang Company »?

There is a company that has been praised multiple times by President Xi Jinping.

On September 2, 2015, during the ceremony awarding the « 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression » commemorative medals, President Xi mentioned a group of anti-Japanese heroes and heroic units, including the New Fourth Army’s « Liu Laozhuang Company. »

On August 1, 2017, at the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, President Xi once again commended the « Liu Laozhuang Company » and other heroic units, stating they « demonstrated unwavering courage with their lives. »

This company has also been honored in multiple parades at Tiananmen Square.

On September 3, 2015, during the grand military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the « Liu Laozhuang Company » model unit marched past Tiananmen Square.

On October 1, 2019, during the National Day parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a formation of battle flags carried 100 honorary flags past Tiananmen, including the « Liu Laozhuang Company » battle flag.

What is the story behind the « Liu Laozhuang Company »?

Rewind more than 80 years. In the spring of 1943, during a large-scale brutal « mopping-up » campaign by Japanese invaders in the Huaihai anti-Japanese base in northern Jiangsu, 82 soldiers of the 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Regiment, 3rd Division of the New Fourth Army fought a fierce battle against over a thousand Japanese and puppet troops in Liu Laozhuang on March 18. Their mission was to protect local civilians and party leadership during their retreat.

Bayonets bent, they used rifle butts. Rifle butts shattered, they fought with shovels. Shovels broke, they used their hands. Even when their hands were wounded, they bit the enemy… In the end, all 82 soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives, outnumbered and out of ammunition.

Comrade Zhu De once wrote in Heroism of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army: « The famous victories of Pingxingguan, the burning of enemy planes at Yangmingbao, the fearsome Hundred Regiments Offensive, the martyrdom of the Five Heroes at Langya Mountain, the sacrifice of an entire platoon defending Macheng Village, the defense of Huangyan Cave, the Liu Laozhuang battle where all 82 soldiers of a company died for their country, the defense of Nanbei Daigu, the ambush at Hanlue Village, and the annihilation at Zhenjiazhuang—all are the highest expressions of heroism by our army’s commanders and fighters. »

The legacy of heroes lives on. Local villagers built a memorial for the 82 martyrs and selected 82 outstanding young men to rebuild the 4th Company. The 3rd Division, 7th Brigade of the New Fourth Army officially named it the « Liu Laozhuang Company. »

The new « Liu Laozhuang Company » continues to forge its legend.

During the Liberation War, they fought from the northeast to the southernmost tip of China, even achieving the miracle of sinking warships with wooden boats. In the new century, from the earthquake-stricken areas of Wenchuan to flood-fighting fronts, from central China to peacekeeping missions, from training grounds to international military exercises, the « Liu Laozhuang Company » has always charged ahead…

Every inch of land is soaked with blood; every handful of soil cradles a hero’s soul.

« For all those who sacrificed their precious lives for the nation, the people, and peace, no matter how times change, we must forever remember their devotion, » President Xi said with deep reverence for the martyrs.

Heroes are the brightest beacons of a nation. President Xi emphasized that a nation with hope cannot be without heroes, nor can a country with a future be without pioneers.

This year marks the 80

Liu Laozhuang Company

Liu Laozhuang Company is a historic Chinese business, originally established in the late Qing Dynasty (early 20th century) as a traditional distillery in Anhui Province. Known for producing *baijiu* (a Chinese liquor), it became a well-known local brand, blending craftsmanship with regional cultural heritage. Today, it symbolizes the preservation of traditional Chinese brewing techniques amid modernization.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, China, is one of the largest public squares in the world. It has significant historical and political importance, serving as a site for major events such as the 1949 proclamation of the People’s Republic of China and the 1989 pro-democracy protests, which ended in a deadly crackdown. The square is flanked by landmarks like the Great Hall of the People and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

New Fourth Army

The New Fourth Army was a major Communist military force during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), established in 1938 under the United Front between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalists (KMT). It operated primarily in eastern and central China, engaging in guerrilla warfare against Japanese forces. After the war, it became a key unit in the CCP’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949).

People’s Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of China, founded in 1927 as the military wing of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949) and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Today, the PLA is one of the largest and most advanced militaries in the world, serving as a key pillar of China’s national security and global influence.

Pingxingguan

Pingxingguan, located in Shanxi Province, China, is a historic mountain pass known for its strategic military significance. It gained fame during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) as the site of the **Battle of Pingxingguan** in 1937, where Chinese forces achieved a notable victory against the Japanese army. Today, it serves as a memorial site commemorating the battle and China’s resistance efforts.

Yangmingbao

Yangmingbao (阳明堡) is a historic town in Shanxi Province, China, best known for the Yangmingbao Airport, a key military site during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). In 1937, the Chinese Communist Party’s Eighth Route Army launched a successful surprise attack on the Japanese-held airport, destroying numerous enemy aircraft and boosting morale. Today, the site is remembered as a symbol of resistance and is occasionally commemorated for its wartime significance.

Langya Mountain

Langya Mountain, located in Anhui Province, China, is a scenic area renowned for its lush forests, ancient temples, and striking rock formations. Historically, it has been a place of cultural and spiritual significance, often associated with Taoist traditions and celebrated in classical Chinese poetry. The mountain’s name, meaning « Wolf Tooth, » is said to derive from its jagged peaks resembling wolf teeth.

Huangyan Cave

Huangyan Cave, located in China’s Zhejiang Province, is a renowned natural limestone cave known for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Historically, it has been a popular tourist attraction for centuries, often associated with local legends and traditional Chinese poetry. The cave’s unique rock formations and underground streams showcase the region’s rich geological heritage.