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   The words for the national anthem were written by Tian Han, and the music was set by Nie Er in 1935. Originally known as the March of the Volunteers, it was the theme song of The Sons and Daughters in Times of Turmoil, a film that depicted how Chinese intellectuals marched bravely to the front in the War of Resistance Against Japan during the Second World War.

   Sonorous, militant and inspiring, the song describes the wrath of the Chinese people against imperialist aggression and their determination to protect their motherland against foreign, invaders. During the Second World War it was also sung by people of other countries who sympathized with the Chinese people in their anti-Japanese struggle. In 1949 it was appropriately chosen to be the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.

　　The lyrics of the national anthem are as follows:

　　Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves;
　　With our very flesh and blood
　　Let us build our new Great Wall!
　　The Peoples of China are in the most critical time,
　　Everybody must roar his defiance.
　　Arise! Arise! Arise!
　　Millions of hearts with one mind,
　　Brave the enemy's gunfire,
　　March on!
　　Brave the enemy's gunfire,
　　March on! March on! March on, on