The Nanjing Asia Outdoor Products Exhibition has recently kicked off in grand style. At this outdoor expo, many outdoor brand companies not only showcased their latest seasonal products but also took the opportunity to host charitable events, spreading positive energy. Yesterday, Sun Mian, founder of New Weekly, appeared at the “Travelers Without Borders – Back to the Original Aspiration” event co-hosted by Biancheng Sports Goods Co., Ltd. (which represents Austria’s NORTHLAND, Germany’s LOWA, and Germany’s LEKI) and dedicated to caring for veterans of the War of Resistance. He shared past stories with the veterans, calling for care for them while also advocating approaching life with the mindset of a traveler. Being a traveler is a state, a process of self-cultivation, reaching a realm where one remains unperturbed by honor or disgrace, and can overcome even the greatest crises in career or life.
On the path of caring for veterans of the War of Resistance, more and more young, ambitious companies and individuals are joining in: as a vibrant and responsible young company that represents multiple well-known European outdoor brands, Biancheng Sports has always advocated for a “healthy outdoor lifestyle,” encouraging people to find themselves through outdoor activities and be travelers in life, never forgetting their original aspirations. This kind of health is also about mental well-being, motivating the public to engage in outdoor sports—exercising the body while also achieving spiritual elevation, discovering positive energy, and gaining more happiness. Through this collaboration with “Traveler Sun Mian,” Biancheng developed and designed specialized down jackets for the veterans. These serve the dual purpose of providing warmth in winter and, with the prominent “War of Resistance Veteran” label on the clothing, helping veterans receive more care and support in their daily lives.
For many years, numerous civil organizations and individuals have continuously campaigned and advocated for veterans to receive fairer treatment, achieving significant results. On July 4, 2013, on the 76th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a document announcing preferential treatment for former Kuomintang veterans of the War of Resistance. This July, a collective proposal from the Nanjing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference titled “Recommendations on Caring for Nanjing Veterans of the War of Resistance” drew attention from government departments. All 72 veterans with Nanjing household registration who served in the Kuomintang forces during the War of Resistance were included in the social security system and will receive a monthly hardship assistance of 2,000 yuan. For these veterans, whose average age has now reached 91, this not only means economic security in their later years and the ability to live a relatively decent life, but also serves as spiritual comfort—a recognition and respect for the sacrifices and contributions they made for the country and the nation. People say it is love that came late, but at least, it has finally arrived.
For these individuals who once risked their lives and shed blood for their country, death may not be the most frightening thing—what’s more frightening is indifference and being forgotten. Today, these elderly are brought back into our warm gaze from the forgotten corners of history. This is a return of humanity, a return of history, and even more so, a return of national conscience. Remember how we treat history today, for that is how we will be treated in the future.
Travelers Without Borders, Back to the Original Aspiration. While caring for veterans of the War of Resistance, we also call on everyone to learn from the veterans’ open-minded attitudes, to face the ups and downs of life positively, and to spread more positive energy. Be travelers in life.