CCTV presenter Zhu Jun will produce and host the new program Xinzhongguo that brings audiences on trips through history by narrating and describing the historical backgrounds of more than 50 letters. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Sixty-six years ago, Huang Jiguang wrote his last letter to his mother before he sacrificed himself in the battle of Shangganling, also known as the Battle of Triangle Hill, during the Korean War.

"If I don't make a contribution, I won't leave the battlefield. Your son Jiguang, in battle," narrates actor Yang Yang with tears in his eyes to the audience during a television recording.

After Yang finishes reading the passage, host Zhu Jun tells the story behind Huang's letter while acknowledging that Yang was deeply touched by the letter.

This is the first episode of the new cultural show, Xinzhongguo (Trust in China), where narrators read letters and the host describes the historical backgrounds of the letters and authors using photos, videos and stage effects.

The show will air on the first weekend of 2018 on CCTV 1 and CCTV 3. As China Central Television's flagship program for the year, "the show has a powerful and profound theme", says Zhu Tong, CCTV's deputy editor-in-chief.

Zhu, who holds the record for hosting the CCTV Spring Festival Gala for 21 consecutive years, is also the producer of the show. It's his first time in this role.