A cassia tree, a bond of border‑guarding devotion passed down through generations. As the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China approaches, on November 7, the military romance film “Guarding the Cassia Letter,” with post-production by the Zhu brothers, held its national premiere and press conference in Hohhot, and will be released in over 900 cinemas nationwide starting November 20.

A tribute film celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

The film was guided by the Military Culture Academy of the National Defense University and co-produced by the Publicity Department of the CPC Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Committee. It features special appearances by veteran artists Song Chunli, Zhu Xinyun, Zhao Xiaoming, and Han Yueqiao, with young actors Zhu Yan and Li Huailong in the leading roles. Ding Zhen served as director, Wen Xin as director, and Hu Jinlan as screenwriter. Producer and executive producer Wen Xin poured her heart and soul into this project.
 

“Guarding the Tree of Longing” was designated by the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission as a tribute work marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and it also served as a key artistic‑literary creation project of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for the 2019–2020 period. Moreover, the film won the Wenrong Award for Outstanding Film at the National Defense and Military Film Festival for two consecutive years, making it a nationally recognized masterpiece. Released just as the nation commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers’ participation in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, the film holds significant importance in promoting the spirit of patriotism.

Based on a true story

The film is based on the true story of the “Longing Tree” at the Sanjiaoshan outpost in Inner Mongolia. In the summer of 1984, while leading a patrol along the Hala River, Company Commander Li Xiang’en encountered a sudden emergency and heroically sacrificed his life to save his comrades. To honor his memory, his wife, Guo Fengrong, planted a Chinese pine near the outpost. In 2010, before she passed away due to illness, she specifically asked her son, “After I die, please scatter my ashes in the Hala River,” so she could continue to stand by her husband and guard the northern frontier of the motherland. A friendly reminder: be sure to bring your own tissues when you watch!

The Mission of a Generation of Filmmakers and TV Professionals

There is no such thing as a peaceful, carefree life—someone is always bearing the burden so that you can move forward. Upon receiving this project, the person in charge from the Zhu family said that a profound sense of mission immediately welled up: “For this project, we must not only ensure our technical expertise meets the mark, but also show the world the greatness and selflessness of generation after generation of border defense soldiers and their military wives.”

The power of sound lies not only in moving oneself, but even more in touching the audience; this capacity for “empathy” is therefore all the more precious. Our company has many colleagues from Inner Mongolia, who feel a particularly deep personal connection to the theme of defending the northern frontier, which has made the production process much smoother.

As an adaptation of a true story, we have always held authenticity as our guiding principle. We traveled to numerous river sections to gather on‑location footage, and through a 5.1 surround‑sound mix, we juxtapose the raging currents at the moment the company commander makes his ultimate sacrifice with the serene stillness of the Hala‑Hala River as Guo Fengrong gazes into the distance, weaving a moving tribute. Moreover, the infusion of diverse Mongolian musical elements further enlivens the film. We hope that every viewer who steps into the theater will hear the sincerity and unwavering dedication behind it.

Military families are ordinary.
They are the twinkling stars in countless Chinese families.
Military families are truly great.
They endure endless partings and longing.
On November 20, may you and I step into the cinema.
Entering the World of Border Defense Soldiers and Military Wives
Feel the power of a vow.

Everyone has a tree of longing in their heart—what about yours?