The family (Zhu Junmin, Zhu Yetian, and Zhu Bingren from left to right) takes a group photo at Tian'anmen Square, venue of the commemorative event, on Sept 3. [Photo provided by the Zhu family to Tide News]

A family spanning three generations from Zhejiang province attended the military parade on Sept 3 commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Specially invited to the ceremony at Tian'anmen Square, the family includes Zhu Bingren, 81, a national master of Chinese arts and crafts and pioneer of "molten realism" in copper sculpture; his son, Zhu Junmin, a Zhejiang provincial master of arts and crafts and founder of the Zhu Bingren Copper brand; and grandson Zhu Yetian, a chemistry student at Peking University.

It was the first time the family attended a military parade in person, describing the experience as deeply moving and memorable.

Born in 1944 during the war years, Zhu Bingren said he felt honored to witness the country's transformation over three generations.

Both father and son, active in cultural heritage preservation, said the event reaffirmed their commitment to passing down traditional craftsmanship and values to younger generations.

For Zhu Yetian, a long-time military enthusiast, the experience reinforced his academic direction. He said he plans to pursue research in materials science to contribute to future developments in military technology.