Behind the China-Korea negotiations, details revealed for the first time

Behind-the-scenes details of negotiations between China and South Korea over the return of remains were first disclosed; the production team was granted permission to enter the National Martyrs’ Remains DNA Testing Laboratory for the first time to film; interviews were conducted with nearly 20 volunteer veterans, all with an average age over 90; and a large amount of precious video footage and archival information from the first discoveries was revealed……

According to a report from CCTV News, on the occasion of Qingming, to commemorate the martyrs, remember history, and carry forward the great spirit of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the six-episode documentary 《Homecoming》, produced jointly by the China Media Group’s (Central Radio and Television Station) Chinese Global Media Program Center and the Liaoning Radio and Television Group (Liaoning Radio and Television Station), will be broadcast starting March 30 on the China Media Group’s Chinese International Channel (CCTV-4) at 8:00 p.m.

Titled “Heroes Come Home,” the film for the first time presents in depth and in a panoramic view the process by which the remains of Chinese People’s Volunteer Army martyrs were returned from the first batch to the twelfth batch, along with countless family stories of searching for relatives that cross time and space behind it.

Moving narration:

A panoramic view of the road home for heroes

The documentary 《Homecoming》 is divided into six episodes: 《Qingshan Buries the Bones》《Mountains and Rivers Remember Forever》《The Road of Searching for Kin》《Heroes Have a Name》《Echoes of Remembrance》《The Highest Honor》. Using a combination of historical archives, firsthand accounts from participants, precious footage, and on-site visits, it gradually unfolds a grand and deeply heartfelt canvas.

The film begins with the memories of old veterans of battlefields where the smoke had not yet cleared, recording those life-and-death entrusted hopes regarding the remains of martyrs—this is the deepest annotation of “Qingshan Buries Loyal Bones.”

With the relay of national action, the route home is reignited. From diplomatic consultations to opening up “green corridors,” from the return of the first batch of remains, to the vigil of Veteran Cao Xiuhu of the volunteer forces standing silently for 6 hours in the freezing wind, and then to the dignified escort by the lineup of the Y-20 and J-20—this is the strength of the nation paving the road of dignity for the heroes.

For 12 consecutive years, the remains of 1,011 martyrs were returned. This is not only the highest honor for the heroes, but also an eternal pledge of a nation to its loyal souls.

Exclusive revelations:

Uncover historical details and record moving moments

The documentary 《Homecoming》 is not only a profoundly moving work, but also, through extensive exclusive digging and documentary follow-along filming, presents many precious pieces of content that were revealed to the public for the first time.

The first disclosure covers the behind-the-scenes details of negotiations between China and South Korea regarding the issue of the return of remains, providing a detailed account of the entire process—from a proposal by CPPCC members in 2008, to the push by China and South Korea’s leadership in 2013, and then to the return of 437 sets of martyrs’ remains in the first batch in 2014.

For the first time, it goes deep into the core site of DNA testing. The production team was allowed to enter the National Martyrs’ Remains DNA Testing Laboratory for the first time for filming, fully recording how scientific researchers screened markers from more than 80 million genetic loci, and how they overcame world-class challenges such as DNA extraction from war remains and identification of distant relatives—providing solid technological support for confirming the identity of the martyrs.

Exclusive portrayal of the spiritual vigil between volunteer veterans and their guardians. The camera focuses on the heartfelt scenes of retired veteran Nan Qixiang, over 90 years old, who has watched over his comrades returning home for decades using military bugles; it records Veteran Jin Donghui’s decade-plus commitment to volunteering for lectures for more than 30 years; and it also captures Veteran Zhu Junxian’s quiet perseverance in guarding the Shanghai Memorial Hall of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army’s documents and helping with searching for relatives by sorting and organizing the list of martyrs’ names.

Rescue-style interviews and precious historical materials unveiled for the first time. The production team traveled far to locations including Jiangsu, Fujian, Hubei, Henan, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangdong for filming, going deep into multiple memorial halls and archives; they interviewed nearly 20 volunteer veterans with an average age over 90, and recorded this vivid memory of history in a rescue-like manner. The film also discloses a large amount of precious video footage and archival information discovered for the first time, filling gaps in related historical research.

Far-reaching significance:

A vivid lesson in patriotism

The documentary 《Homecoming》 is not only a documentary work about the return of martyrs’ remains, but also a vivid lesson in patriotism. Through the pursuit of “from the nameless to having a name, from returning to the country to coming home,” we come to understand: heroes have never been forgotten—their names are engraved between mountains and rivers, and their spirit is illuminating the path of national rejuvenation.

The documentary 《Homecoming》 will premiere in the evening from March 30 to April 4 on the China Media Group’s Chinese International Channel (CCTV-4) at 8 p.m. Let us jointly look forward to it—follow the camera to retrace the heroes’ road home, and pay tribute to the most adorable people!

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责任编辑：凌辰