Young Chinese soldiers walk past a giant Chinese national flag on display in a popular park in Beijing in 2009. Preparations are under way for a series of celebrations that is to conclude with a 70th anniversary Victory Day parade on Sept. 3 in Beijing. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI |
License Photo
BEIJING, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Chinese veterans of World War II who fought against Japan are to be awarded compensation and gifts ahead of a major anniversary on Sept. 3 – including veterans who fought on behalf of the anti-communist Kuomintang.
Beijing made the announcement Tuesday in a statement issued by the finance and civil affairs ministries, China's Xinhua news agency reported. The National Health and Family Planning Commission has instructed regional offices to distribute the compensation of an unspecified amount along with offers of medical assistance for veterans in need.
In a separate statement, Beijing said a onetime allowance of $802.60 is to be distributed to each veteran ahead of the Sept. 3 anniversary of China's victory over Japan. South Korean news agency Yonhap reported 50,000 veterans, including those who fought in the Kuomintang or Nationalist Party, qualify for the compensation.
In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party came to power after defeating the Nationalists and the anti-communist faction retreated to Taiwan.
Preparations are under way for a series of celebrations that is to conclude with a Victory Day parade on Sept. 3 in Beijing.
The military parade is a commemoration of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and China has requested some countries to contribute troops to the parade.
Russia and Mongolia have agreed to participate in the march but other countries have declined invitations, including French President François Hollande, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Other governments have not received invitations, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to Japanese officials – although China has said an invitation was sent to the Japanese leader.
The parade is to include reminders of China's role as an Allied power. An estimated 14 million Chinese died and 80 million became refugees as a consequence of Japan's occupation between 1937 and 1945.
