Ministry pledges help for KMT veterans
Source: Xinhua |
July 5, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Chinese mainland has promised to guarantee social welfare for former Kuomintang soldiers who fought Japanese aggressors about seven decades ago.
The move is considered part of the mainland's recognition of the contribution by those soldiers in defending the country's territory and protecting its people in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression during World War II.
KMT soldiers injured or disabled in the war, as well as those who joined the People's Liberation Army, should enjoy the same treatment as other former service people, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in a statement.
The government is also providing social assistance to those who were released from the military after the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and did not join the PLA, it said.
Former KMT soldiers on the mainland are entitled to the same social security benefits as other citizens, the statement said.
The ministry said there should be greater concern for veterans' welfare. It said some KMT veterans were still living difficult lives, adding that it was the government's responsibility to improve their well-being.
"I felt it a great consolation," said a woman surnamed Gao, the daughter of 89-year-old Gao Zeng, a former KMT soldier who fought the Japanese invaders in north China's Shanxi Province.
"The new document reflects the government's recognition of and concern for the veterans who have made contributions to the country," she said.
Gao said her father didn't tell his family about his experiences until 2005, when then-Chinese President Hu Jintao recognized the role of the KMT.
"Life for many KMT veterans has been really hard," said Xue Gang, a Beijing volunteer for the Shenzhen-based Longyue Charity Foundation, which helps former KMT soldiers on the mainland.
"Many are reluctant to talk about the past, believing that their experiences fighting the Japanese with the KMT army are a disgrace due to previous political movements in the country," Xue said.
Although measures to treat KMT veterans have been in place for some time, many have failed to enjoy such benefits.
Local governments tended to downplay the importance of such policies without a clear directive from the central government.
The move is considered part of the mainland's recognition of the contribution by those soldiers in defending the country's territory and protecting its people in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression during World War II.
KMT soldiers injured or disabled in the war, as well as those who joined the People's Liberation Army, should enjoy the same treatment as other former service people, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in a statement.
The government is also providing social assistance to those who were released from the military after the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and did not join the PLA, it said.
Former KMT soldiers on the mainland are entitled to the same social security benefits as other citizens, the statement said.
The ministry said there should be greater concern for veterans' welfare. It said some KMT veterans were still living difficult lives, adding that it was the government's responsibility to improve their well-being.
"I felt it a great consolation," said a woman surnamed Gao, the daughter of 89-year-old Gao Zeng, a former KMT soldier who fought the Japanese invaders in north China's Shanxi Province.
"The new document reflects the government's recognition of and concern for the veterans who have made contributions to the country," she said.
Gao said her father didn't tell his family about his experiences until 2005, when then-Chinese President Hu Jintao recognized the role of the KMT.
"Life for many KMT veterans has been really hard," said Xue Gang, a Beijing volunteer for the Shenzhen-based Longyue Charity Foundation, which helps former KMT soldiers on the mainland.
"Many are reluctant to talk about the past, believing that their experiences fighting the Japanese with the KMT army are a disgrace due to previous political movements in the country," Xue said.
Although measures to treat KMT veterans have been in place for some time, many have failed to enjoy such benefits.
Local governments tended to downplay the importance of such policies without a clear directive from the central government.
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