1st Ld-Writethru: Veterans of anti-Japanese war to march in V-Day parade

Veterans who fought in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression will appear in the military parade to be held in Beijing on Sept. 3, organizers said Friday.

The veterans, who will ride in mini buses in two formations, represent both the anti-Japanese forces led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Kuomintang (KMT) Party.

The veterans' average age is 90 and they all live on the Chinese mainland, Qu Rui, deputy director of the Office of the Parade Leading Team, said at a press conference.

They served in the CPC's anti-Japanese forces, including the Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, Northeast China Anti-Japanese United Forces and South China Guerrillas, according to Qu.

"Their participation fully reflects the people's admiration for the anti-Japanese veterans," said Qu.

The veterans' perseverance and sacrifices in the war deserve respect from the people, he said.

The parade will be held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II. It is the first military parade in China to mark an anniversary of the war.

The two formations will also include children of fallen soldiers from the CPC and KMT, and outstanding members of forces that supported the front line. The groups have an average age of about 78 and 88, respectively.

Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931. However, historians agree that the full-scale invasion began on July 7, 1937, when a bridge that acted as a crucial access point to Beijing was attacked by the Japanese. Endi