"The Japanese aggressors didn't just stab once; they thrust their bayonets in and out again and again," Sun Zhanke recalled, his hands unconsciously re-enacting the violent motion seared into his childhood memory.
The brutal scene unfolded in the neighboring Miaojia village, where Japanese troops tortured and executed local resistance leaders in front of terrified villagers. That moment of horror left an indelible mark on Sun's young mind. The image of those gleaming bayonets has haunted ever since.
Born in 1929 in Laizhou, Shandong province, Sun has lived through nearly a century of upheaval, war, and profound transformation in China. As a teenager, he did what he could to aid the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945). A media professional after war and advocate for truth and remembrance, Sun then dedicated his career to chronicling China's struggle and growth, ensuring the stories from wartime would never be forgotten.
Sun Zhanke presents his manuscripts at his home in Beijing on Sept. 23, 2025. [Photo by Sun Tao/China.org.cn]
During an interview with China.org.cn at his quiet Beijing home, the 97-year-old shared his most prized possessions — his memories and the manuscripts that preserve the stories of an era which shaped both his life and his nation.
Seeds of resistance: Childhood shaped by war
Sun remembered a modest childhood in Laizhou, where his father made a living handcrafting traditional Chinese brushes. Each spring, his father would painstakingly make the brushes, and in autumn, travel north to sell them in villages.
That simple life was shattered by the Japanese invasion. During one trip, Japanese soldiers accused Sun's father of being a spy, beating him and confiscating his wares. He returned a different man, forever harboring a deep hatred for the invaders.
As a child, Sun often heard grim stories of atrocities, and those stories became terrifyingly real after Japan launched its full-scale invasion of China in 1937. When the war began to befall his hometown, his father, despite constant headaches, worked tirelessly to dig defensive trenches beside their home. The image of that quiet resolve etched itself into Sun's memory, planting in him the first seeds of resistance.
His determination was solidified by a nearby atrocity. After suspecting a village of sheltering Communist fighters, Japanese soldiers locked all the residents into a house, set it on fire, and bayoneted those who tried to flee through the windows. Nearly everyone perished, Sun recalled. The brutality of this event left another indelible mark on Sun's young mind and steeled his resolve to fight back.
A rising leader: Captain of Children's Corps
From a young age, Sun displayed a remarkable talent for language and public speaking, which drew praise from everyone around him. This gift soon found a purpose when, at just eight years old, his communities mobilized for the national resistance. As a third grader, Sun eagerly joined the movement.
His commitment quickly became evident. Together with a classmate, he adapted a traditional folk play — a simple story about asking for directions — to answer people's questions about the resistance effort, echoing the urgent discussions of adults preparing for war.
Sun's active engagement and natural eloquence made him stand out. By the age of 11, he had been appointed captain of the local Children's Corps, a youth resistance organization. Within a year, his leadership earned him a promotion to a higher-level unit. His duties expanded to include standing guard and delivering messages, making him a more active participant in the resistance.
When asked if he was ever afraid, Sun's answer was unequivocal: "Not at all." He recalled one incident where, on his way home, he hid his textbook which inspired resistance under a basket of eggs. As Japanese soldiers conducted searches nearby, he slipped into a villager's house and calmly urged the startled occupants to stay silent.
During middle school, Sun began studying revolutionary texts, including "On Protracted War" and "On New Democracy." One line resonated with him profoundly: "The suffering of the Chinese nation is rare even in the annals of world history." This sentiment solidified his resolve to defend his homeland.
Though his pleas to join the army were denied due to his youth, his linguistic talents and education ensured his continued value to the cause. He continued leading the district-level Children's Corps and, upon joining the district Party committee as a teenager, became a correspondent. There, he wielded his pen as a powerful weapon against the Japanese invaders.
Sun recalled that even before he fully understood the principles of the Communist Party of China, he admired its determination to defend the nation. He would often sneak into Party meetings, listening quietly from the sidelines. While he was told he was still too young to join, Sun had already made up his mind.
His dedication culminated in February 1946, just six months after the long-awaited victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. At 17, he was formally admitted into the Party in recognition of his outstanding service.
Documenting with the pen: A life devoted to the country
In the years that followed, Sun continued to wield his pen, working as a reporter and editor for prominent media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency and Dazhong Daily. His exemplary work earned him several accolades and, in 1953 he moved to Beijing to join People's China, a magazine under China International Communications Group.
There, he dedicated the rest of his career to presenting the transformation of China to an international audience. He chronicled key chapters in China's evolution, from legislative milestones like the National People's Congress to the conceptual framework of One Country, Two Systems.
Beyond his reporting, Sun was also a gifted artist, capturing China's landscapes and culture with the same care he brought to his writing. In the late 1990s, he held an exhibition in Japan, showcasing China's majestic scenery.
Despite his many honors, Sun remains humble. Instead of his accolades, he treasures his manuscripts filled with wartime memoirs and an unpublished novel based on real events. "I once led a periodical office," he reminisced, "but never used that position to publish these." This selflessness speaks to his character, while the preservation of these manuscripts reveals a deep desire for the stories of that era to be remembered.
Even now, Sun looks toward the future and the nation's younger generation. His message to them is clear: "To love the Party is to have faith — faith that endures no matter the hardship. Difficulties, humiliation, and suffering only temper one's will and make one stronger."