Wang Lijun, who has been in a coma for five years since being punched by another man, has finally been awarded compensation of more than 880,000 yuan (US$106,325), reports Xinhua News Agency.

On July 21, 1998, Meng Fanzhi hit Wang Lijun with a punch in the face that sent him into a coma following a quarrel between Wang and Meng's wife.

After several months of treatment, Wang's condition did not improve. He was diagnosed as a vegetable who will require two carers to look after him for the rest his life.

In 1999, the court sentenced Meng to 10 years in prison but did not demand economic compensation as Wang's medical treatment was still under way.

But in August, the Nangang District People's Court in Harbin ruled that Meng's behaviour had caused Wang and his family grave economic losses and ordered him to pay compensation.

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