"The Volunteers: Peace at Last," the final installment of director Chen Kaige's "Volunteers" trilogy, premiered in Beijing on Sept. 27, highlighting the sacrifices made by the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) in their pursuit of peace. 

The cast and crew of" The Volunteers: Peace at Last" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

The historical epic trilogy was released in 2023 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. The first installment, "The Volunteers: To the War," earned 868 million yuan ($122 million) at China's box office. Its sequel, "The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death," grossed 1.2 billion yuan in 2024 and secured seven Golden Rooster Award nominations.

"Peace at Last" depicts fierce battles at Triangle Hill and Kumsong, as well as armistice negotiations at Panmunjom. "The War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea was not only a blood-soaked fight but also a contest of will and wisdom," Chen said at the premiere.

The armistice portion of the film highlights the translators who assisted the peace negotiators. Actor Song Jia plays Lin Yueming, head of the CPV translation team. "Lin was both gentle and strong. Her unwavering belief that peace would eventually arrive was her greatest strength," Song said. "She also gave me a deeper reverence for life and peace."

Zhang Zifeng portrays Li Xiao, an orphaned girl from a military family who becomes a CPV interpreter. "Every word she translated carried the weight of the soldiers' sacrifices. On the battlefield, she defended the land, and at the negotiating table, she defended the nation's voice," Zhang said.

The film also depicts frontline resilience, largely through Chen Feiyu's character Sun Xing. Chen said, "Sun Xing experienced countless losses. He channeled grief into determination and proved through action that the Chinese people would never yield."

At the premiere, director Chen Kaige, producer Chen Hong, and the cast appeared with two veteran CPV soldiers who watched the film together with the audience. Chen said:"The War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea was inseparable from the development of New China. Whether on the battlefield or at the negotiating table, the CPV made sacrifices for peace. My heart is filled with gratitude."

The two CPV veterans were visibly moved at the premiere. He Lindi, who fought at age 13 and later witnessed volunteers' remains returning to China, said: "I am grateful that the filmmakers captured the story of the volunteers. Their courage and sacrifices gave us the life we enjoy today. We must never forget."

Veteran Jiang Zhaoyu fought in Korea with her brother, who died in the war. Her experiences inspired Zhang Zifeng's character, and she appears in the film's final scene. "Seeing our loved ones return home warms my heart. I feel my elder brother, along with their souls and everything about them, has returned to our side," she said.

An empty theater seat was reserved for fallen soldiers, and the cast presented flowers to attending veterans and the symbolic seat to honor CPV heroes. The premiere drew emotional responses from retired soldiers, children and young viewers who expressed gratitude for the CPV's sacrifices.

Producer Chen Hong said the film honors both famous heroes and countless ordinary soldiers who died. 

Chief producer Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group, said: "We used three years to show the entire nation the three arduous years of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. I believe we have achieved our original goal in making this film — to present the epic historical journey of the war through cinema."

The cast and crew of "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" pose for a photo before the film's premiere in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

"The Volunteers: Peace at Last" opened nationwide Tuesday, ahead of National Day on Oct. 1,concluding the saga with the reminder that peace was hard-won through the perseverance and sacrifices of the CPV.