General Luo Dongjing is interviewed by a reporter of China Daily website. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Brought up by Yimeng people

Luo was born at North China's Shanxi province in February of 1939. His father named him Luo Dongjin, meaning a march to the East, because they were instructed to move to East China's Shandong province.

Luo recalled the tough journey he and his mother took with the army on the way to meet with his father. He was first carried in a basket.

"My sister, who was born later, and I were then carried by a donkey and followed the troop," said Luo. "We were taken to fellow villagers' homes from time to time when the Japanese army attacking. We were fed and dressed by those villagers."

Luo remembered that the food he ate was of poor quality at that time. The typical food was sorghum fried cake. It was too hard to chew for him. Local villiagers would chew the cake and then feed him. He said he also lived in the home of Wang Huanyu, a woman who took care of more than 20 children whose parents were in the army.

"The support from the people led to the victory over Japanese aggression, and the success of our revolution. As long as we stick close to the people, we can overcome any difficulties. If we betray them, we will be cast aside by the people. Never deviate from the people is the most basic requirement," said Luo.

"We are children of Communist Party"

People like Luo Dongjing are commonly referred to as "second red generation" or "third red generation" because they are offspring of founding fathers of the People's Republic of China. It is a title that arouses much mystery, Luo said.

"Are those people qualified when their parents or grandparents are leaders in the Party? Of course not, those who are educated under the Party, and firmly follow the Party's lead on the socialist road, are also 'red generation'. Many people like workers or peasants have contributed to the society greatly. They are all good children of the Communist Party," said Luo.

Luo advised the young generation to learn more about the history. He thought that they should not be blinded by some fake and superficial statements. They should think more and not always follow others' opinions, Luo added.

Luo hoped that all Chinese people could unite under the lead of the Communist Party and form a united front. "People need to work hard together to realize the beautiful Chinese Dream," said Luo.