The ashes of martyr Chen Xiangrong are buried in Pingnan Martyrs Cemetery, East China's Fujian Province, and flowers cover the front of the martyrs' monument. Photo: VCG

Birthday blessings to Chen Xiangrong, a People Liberation Army (PLA) martyr who died during the China-India border clash in Galwan Valley in June, 2020, were trending on Chinese social media as Thursday marked his 20th birthday. He died at 19. 

On Thursday, his comrades came to the place where he died to pay tribute. According to a video clip from China Central Television (CCTV), a group of PLA soldiers swore that "we will not yield an inch of our motherland." 

His comrades came to his tomb and wiped the tombstone with their hands, the video showed. "We're here to see you again … We brought your favorite fruit tangerine. Let me peel a tangerine for you," said a PLA solider, CCTV's video clip shows.   

Chen's birthday also became a top trending topic on Chinese social media Sina Weibo, with hundreds of thousands of netizens paying their respects and sending their best wishes to the man who safeguarded territorial integrity with his life.

"Tangerines taste juicy and sweet this year, you can have them in that world, right?" said a netizen who posted a comment with an emoji of a tangerine.

Chen broke into the siege to rescue Qi Fabao, another Chinese soldier who was awarded with the title of "Hero Regimental Commander for Defending the Border" for his patriotism and bravery in the clash.

In a CCTV program called "Role Models" aired on Wednesday, Qi said he has recovered and is ready to return to his position and fight again.

"Doctors told me that I had been punching and kicking in bed during the days I was unconscious … 'Has the enemy been beaten? Are all my men safe?' were the first thoughts that appeared in my mind after I woke up,'' Qi said.     

In June 2020, a group of Indian soldiers breached the agreement, setting up a military tent in the Chinese territory, Haike News reported. Qi led a few soldiers to negotiate a solution to the problem, but India had already deployed a large number of troops.  

In the video played during the CCTV program, wearing helmets, carrying shields and cudgels, Indian soldiers tried to force the Chinese soldiers to yield by virtue of sheer numbers.  

Qi recalled that there were at least 40 or 50 fully armed Indian soldiers.

In the video, Qi asks an Indian officer, "Is it ok if Chinese soldiers cross over to the Indian side," and warned the Indians to withdraw immediately or they would bear the consequences.  

Then there was the most touching scene of the incident. Qi stood in front of the Indian army with his arms outstretched. The Indian army attacked him with steel pipes, sticks and stones and Qi suffered severe head injuries with his face covered in blood.  

Chen Hongjun and Chen Xiangrong broke into the siege to rescue Qi, but sacrificed themselves during the clash. Xiao Siyuan returned after the siege to save his comrades until the last breath, and Wang Zhuoran also sacrificed in the chaos after he was submerged in the glacier as he was trying to help others cross the river.

Global Times