Casualties of Korean War finally laid to rest
Print Edition
A ceremony was held yesterday in northeast China’s Liaoning Province to lay to rest the remains of 68 Chinese soldiers who were killed more than 60 years ago during the Korean War (1950-53).
The national anthem played as the caskets, each covered with a Chinese flag, were carried into a “martyrs’ park” in the provincial capital Shenyang.
The ceremony was attended by government and military officials, veterans of the Korean War, relatives of the deceased and members of the public, all of whom carried chrysanthemums as a mark of respect.
“More than 60 years have passed since their sacrifice, but the images of these most beloved people remain in our hearts. The country and the people will always remember them,” Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei said in a speech.
Discovered in South Korea last year, the remains of the 68 fallen soldiers were returned to China on Friday. The repatriation was the second of its kind after the remains of 437 soldiers were returned last year.
The Chinese People’s Volunteers fought alongside the North Korean army in the conflict with South Korea and United Nations forces led by the United States.
A total of 197,653 Chinese were killed in the war, most of whom were buried on the Korean Peninsula.
According to an agreement between China and South Korea, the two sides consult every year on the hand-over of any remains found in the country.
The hand-overs are traditionally held before the traditional Chinese tomb-sweeping day, Qingming Festival, in early April.
After a ceremony at South Korea’s Incheon Airport on Friday, two Chinese fighter jets escorted a transporter plane carrying the remains back to China.
“We once fought together to protect our country. I don’t know their names but I see every one of them as my family,” 81-year-old veteran Zou Jiliang said at yesterday’s memorial ceremony.
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