Cheng Benhua became famous for this photograph taken on the day of her death, when she faced her assassination with a smile.

Cheng Benhua became famous for this photograph taken on the day of her death, when she faced her assassination with a smile.



In 1937, war broke out with Japan's invasion of China. Cheng Benhua was part of the Chinese resistance. She was captured along with other comrades in 1938, when the Japanese arrived in her region. She endured an ordeal: she witnessed the execution of her comrades, was repeatedly raped and humiliated. Despite all this, Cheng remained impassive and defiant, demonstrating a steely spirit that would not be broken. The photo was taken by a Japanese correspondent before she was bayoneted to death at the age of 24.




In China she became an icon. The city of Nanjing has a 5-metre high statue of Cheng, the warrior who smiled at death, as a symbol of the indomitable spirit.

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