Ruan Wuchang, 92, honorary chairman of the research society on the history of the New Fourth Army, signs a book for a student in Shanghai's Jiading district on Tuesday. GAO ERQIANG/CHINA DAILY

Students from primary and secondary schools in Shanghai's suburban Jiading district received a special lecture on Tuesday on the history of the New Fourth Army, a force led by the Communist Party of China during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Ruan Wuchang, 92, honorary chairman of the research society on the history of the New Fourth Army in Shanghai, shared the history of the force with the students at the Memorial of Guerrillas in Waigang town, Jiading.

The lecture was held after President Xi Jinping replied on Thursday to a letter from centenarian veterans from the research society.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underlined the importance of telling more stories about the Party, its glorious traditions and fine work style in order to guide Party members, especially younger generations, to remain true to its original aspirations and keep their mission firmly in mind.

The lecture was also part of a long-term effort by the Shanghai Education Commission to integrate education about the Party's history into school curricula.

"History is a valuable spiritual treasure of our nation, which should be passed on to the next generation, especially the younger ones," said Ruan, a former deputy political commissar of the People's Liberation Army's Shanghai garrison.

"We enjoy a happy life today. But the hard life in history and the sacrifices made by our forefathers should be kept firmly in mind, so that the nation they created can retain its true nature."

Ruan and four other people from the research society and Jiading's education authorities have been appointed extracurricular tutors on the Party's history.

Feng Shanshan, a sixth grade student from Waigang Middle School who has been a docent at the memorial for a year, was touched by the stories Ruan shared.

"Many veterans have visited the memorial, and when they saw the historical photos and heard about the history through my interpretation, they would shed tears," she said.

"I am grateful to them for protecting the country and fighting for the peace and prosperity we enjoy today. I will cherish my life, and tell more people about the soil on which the country stands."