Zhang Yuhua, the retired major general and war hero, died early on Sunday in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, at age 101, reducing the number of generals who fought to establish the People's Republic of China to 25.

Zhang became nationally known after he attended a military parade in September 2015 at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, when he was seen by millions of Chinese TV spectators saluting with his right hand, which was wounded in war.

A native of Shandong province, Zhang was a primary school teacher before he enlisted in 1935 with a local armed force in Wendeng, Shandong province, led by the Communist Party of China.