President Xi to present commemorative medals to war veterans

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping will present commemorative medals to veterans who fought in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) said Tuesday.

Guo Weimin, deputy head of the SCIO, said at a press conference that the medals will be awarded on September 2.

The veterans who are eligible to receive the medals include those who served in the Communist Party of China's (CPC's) counter-Japanese forces, including the Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, Northeast China Counter-Japanese United Forces and South China Guerrillas .

The war veterans who returned home as peasants or joined CPC revolutionary activities after fighting with the Kuomintang (KMT) will also receive medals, according to Guo.

Medals will also be given to the personnel who worked in underground organizations and governments led by the CPC during the war against Japanese invasion, patriotic personages who contributed to the victory of the war, and commanders of anti-Japanese forces or their surviving dependents.

Additionally, foreigners acclaimed in China for their contribution during the war will also receive medals, Guo said.

This year is the 70th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II. Victory-Day celebrations, including a military parade, will be held on Sept. 3.