3rd LD-Writethru-China Focus: Chinese president honors WWII veterans

President Xi Jinping granted medals to 30 Chinese and foreign veterans and civilians who fought for China in World War II, ahead of the country's high-profile V-Day celebrations.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said all national heroes, including those in World War II, are the "backbone" of the Chinese nation and their deeds and spirit are a great driving force for the country.

"Any nation with hope cannot be without heroes and any country with promising prospects cannot be without pioneers," he said.

Xi said the purpose of the medal ceremony is to pay tribute to the war heroes and show that the Chinese people cherish peace and will remember history.

He attributed their heroic deeds to the "common will of Chinese people" who united during hard times to fight against Japanese aggression starting in 1931.

Xi described China's victory as "a miracle in the war history of mankind" as heroic Chinese people fought to the very end in spite of brutal Japanese aggression.

The patriotic spirit that has taken shape through China's resistance against aggression is the driving force for the country's rejuvenation, he said.

Those who struggled for China's national independence and development are all national heroes, he said. "Chinese people will never forget their enduring accomplishments."

Xi also highly praised international anti-fascist fighters from countries including the Soviet Union, the United States, Britain, Korea, Canada and India who fought side by side and forged a profound friendship with Chinese people.

Among those honored with medals were Anna Chan Chennault, wife of American pilot Claire Chennault, who volunteered to fight against the Japanese air force during the war; Joseph W. Stilwell, grandson of Joseph Stilwell, commander of China, Burma, India Theater; and M. W. Bethune, the grandson of Norman Bethune, a famous Canadian army surgeon in China.

The front of the medal is embossed with WWII soldiers, a pagoda from a revolutionary base in Yan'an, the Yellow River, and an olive branch. It symbolizes CPC's decisive role during the war, China's drive for rejuvenation and its aspirations for world peace.

The ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese leaders Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli were also present.

MEDALS FOR VETERANS

China's central government granted the medals to roughly 210,000 veterans and relatives.

Tian Shunxin, 95, from Pingshan town in north China's Hebei Province was honored with a medal in his hometown.

"I made a modest contribution during the war, but I'm so happy that the country hasn't forgotten me," said Tian.

Tian joined the Eighth Route Army led by Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1938. His head was wounded during guerrilla warfare in June 1943.

Pang Jinyin from northwest China's Shaanxi Province was one year younger than Tian. After he found he would be granted with a medal, he shouted for a drink in order to celebrate.

"I survived to see China evolve into prosperity, so I feel gratified. The blood shed by my peers is worth it," said Pang.

Pang was enrolled in the artillery of the Kuomintang-led army in 1938. He survived after a Japanese shell fell into his trench but didn't explode.

"I will pass the medal on to my children. They must not forget the history of the hard-won war," said Pang.

Yang Sizi, 87, who will attend Thursday's parade, said "I feel sorry for my old comrades-in-arms who lost their lives in their twenties or even younger. They cannot get the medal I have."

"The medals are not only for living veterans. They are also a commemoration for those who sacrificed their lives during the war," said Wang Huizhen, daughter of 93-year-old veteran Wang Mocun. She accompanied her father to receive the medal in Beijing.

Huang Huanbi, wife of Israel Epstein, a Polish war reporter in China, received the medal in Beijing.

"I am so moved to receive the medal for my late husband. China still remembers us," she said.

Isabel Crook, 100, who studied rural China in the 1930s also received the medal. Crook described it as a moment of truth in her life.

"The world today is far from peaceful. We must work together for true peace," Crook said.

Hu Shaozhang, a 93-year-old veteran from southwest China's Sichuan Province, said "we refused to be conquered in the past. We were bullied by others when we were weak."

"Now our country has become strong, but we don't want to fight with others. We crave peace," said Hu. Endi