Chinese actor You Benchang Photo: VCG

"I have been striving for this moment for over 70 years." In an article published in the People's Daily on Tuesday, veteran Chinese actor You Benchang, 92, recalled his excitement and thoughts at the moment he pledged to join the Communist Party of China (CPC), sparking a wave of discussion. He expressed his commitment to lifelong creation with a passionate heart devoted to the CPC. His heartfelt words deeply resonated with other Chinese artists and young netizens, who hailed him as a shining beacon guiding the path of faith.

On June 30, during the CPC membership oath-taking ceremony, You, who has played many well-known roles such as Uncle Ye in the 2023 TV series Blossoms Shanghai, solemnly read aloud his handwritten 21-page application to join the Party. He had spent a month beforehand studying the oath repeatedly, memorizing every single word. After the oath, with trembling hands, he touched the shining CPC emblem on his chest, his voice choked with emotion. That emblem stands as a testament to his decades-long dedication. 

At 16, a seed of faith was sown in his heart, and at 92, he finally realized his lifelong dream. You always kept his desire to apply for CPC membership in the most cherished place in his heart, but he constantly felt that he was not good enough and needed to prepare more for this sacred undertaking. Finally, this moment marks a new beginning and a new chapter in the life of this veteran actor.

"Now, I am an 'old student' of the CPC," You told People's Daily. "Although I am already over 90 years old, the heart beating in my chest is still that of a young boy who once yearned for light. I will dedicate the light of my remaining life to the great cause of Communism." 

You's resolute decision to join the CPC moved many in the entertainment community. Hao Rong, president of the Central Academy of Drama, wrote in the People's Daily that You had embraced the dawn of faith, and his choice was like a mirror, reflecting that faith is not merely a passion of youth but a life choice that becomes even purer through the passage of time. Tian Qinxin, president of the National Theatre of China, was equally inspired by You. In the People's Daily, she wrote that age is not a boundary for faith, and true art always coexists with conviction.

According to You's own account, his feelings for the CPC trace back to when he was 16 years old. He still vividly remembers May 27, 1949, the day Shanghai was liberated. When young You opened the door of his home, he saw PLA soldiers sitting along the sidewalks, resting. Even when fetching hot water, they insisted on paying for it. For You, who had lived through the darkest times of invasion and oppression, this was a transformative moment. It was then that the seed of faith took root in his heart.

Later, he poured this memory into the opening of his party application: "My connection to the CPC began on a day of profound significance... That day's experience planted the deepest roots of trust in my heart, a trust that has endured unshaken for a lifetime."

In 1952, with the support of the government scholarship, 19-year-old You enrolled in what is now the Shanghai Theatre Academy. After graduating, he joined what is now the National Theatre of China (NTC), becoming one of the first young actors and actresses of the People's Republic of China. He has always been grateful for the support of the Party and the way he gave back was by dedicating himself fully to acting, pouring his heart into refining every role, and striving to create better works, he wrote in his article in the People's Daily.

You's more than 70-year artistic career is a faithful embodiment of this belief and commitment. From playing 79 supporting roles to astonishing the world at the age of 52 with his portrayal of Ji Gong, a Buddhist monk and legendary Song Dynasty (960-1279) folk hero, he has always adhered to the principle that "there are no small roles." In his 80s, while filming Blossoms Shanghai, he stayed up late with younger performers, working nearly 10 hours a day.

Younger artists have learned not only performance skills but also the spirit of perseverance, faith, and respect for the profession from the veteran actor. After listening to You's oath, Zhang Yixing, an actor with the NTC and a pop singer, realized that "No matter where or when we are, as long as we have faith in our heart, we should strive tirelessly for it." The younger generation should follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, work hard to become a useful person in society, and inject more vitality and creativity into the inheritance of China's excellent traditional culture, according to materials sent from the NTC to the Global Times.

Other young performers such as actress Guan Xiaotong and actor Wu Lei were also inspired by You's experience. They noted that life is like climbing a mountain. As long as they still have strength, people should keep moving forward; each step upward is a step forward. They said they also gained a deeper understanding of the mission they bear and the direction in which they should move toward.

As Hao Rong pointed out, the purest form of faith demonstrated by You has set a spiritual benchmark for younger generations. When countless creations, rooted in faith and filled with sincerity, emerge from more and more young artists, the path toward becoming a culturally strong nation will undoubtedly grow broader and brighter. 

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn