As KMT veterans receive newfound respect, others gauge political winds

Veterans attend a commemoration of the 69th anniversary of victory in China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) held in Beijing on September 3.

Although the scars left behind by the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) have begun to fade, the soldiers who fought against Japan at home and abroad under the banner of China's Kuomintang (KMT) party have continued to suffer, as their contributions to the war used to be unknown to the public. It's only been in recent years that there has been recognition of the feats achieved by these KMT veterans during the war, and many have expressed hope that the veterans will be treated with honor and respect regardless of ideological differences or political winds.

A black tie, a white striped shirt and a pair of dark trousers.

You Guangcai, a 95-year-old veteran from Taierzhuang, Shandong Province, placed his outfit beside his bed.

It was a simple gesture, but something about it felt rather solemn. It was the night of September 2, one day ahead of the first commemoration day of the 69th anniversary of victory in China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

In order to represent Kuomintang (KMT) veterans, You and other veterans were invited to attend a high-profile commemoration event on September 3. China's top leaders also attended the event.

He was taking the occasion seriously, so he took care to ensure he dressed appropriately.

"This is a remarkable day. Now that the country is paying increasing attention to us (KMT veterans), I am proud and happy about it," You, who killed Japanese invaders during the war and now has to use a wheelchair, told the Global Times.

"This is also the best consolation for our brothers-in-arms and the living veterans."

You was among 100,000 expeditionary soldiers - most of whom were KMT - who were sent to Myanmar to fight against the Japanese in 1942. Over the following three years, China sent 300,000 troops to Myanmar, killing over 60,000 Japanese soldiers. Nearly half of the Chinese soldiers were killed or injured.

Despite their contributions to the war, the history of the Chinese Expeditionary Force who fought in the China-Burma-India theater was concealed for a long time. Considering the sensitive status of the KMT, they were not acknowledged by either the government or the public on the mainland until recent years.

They used to be neglected, You said.

Now, due to the tense relationship between China and Japan, as well as moves by the Chinese government to highlight Japanese aggression in recent years, the expeditionary soldiers, mostly KMT members, have begun to be acknowledged by Chinese society and more and more attention has been given to them.

On August 30, a photo exhibition in Beijing, entitled National Memories: Images that narrate China-US Collaboration during World War II, kicked off. You and his fellow veterans were acknowledged for the first time during the launch ceremony.

On September 1, Beijing announced a list of 300 martyrs and heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Japanese invasion. The list was the first official catalogue honoring KMT soldiers.

On September 2, a one-year charity program, aimed at finding surviving soldiers, kicked off in Beijing, with Qihoo 360, an IT company, and Bosera Asset Management Company, donating a total of 7.2 million yuan ($1.17 million) toward for the task.

Analysts said it was a "rare step of progress" in recognizing KMT soldiers that fought against the Japanese invaders, but some also expressed concerns as to what might happen if bilateral ties changed.

"We have noticed the progress. However, we have also noticed that such support measures for veterans might not have been made available if it was not at a time when the Sino-Japanese relationship is deteriorating," Sun Chunlong, founder of the Shenzhen Longyue Foundation, which traces Chinese WWII veterans, mostly KMT soldiers, since 2008.

"What will happen next if the Sino-Japanese relationship improves?"

Commitment needed

Sun began volunteer efforts to aid these unrecognized veterans about six years ago, and in that time he has seen a lot of bitterness and encountered many difficulties when he spoke out on their behalf.

"When I first began to find the veterans in 2008, few people knew about that history and some local officials obstructed us from these endeavors," Sun, who used to be a journalist and was able to get access to the vets thanks to his work, told the Global Times.