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War vets could make debut in parade

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-10 07:45

Chinese netizens overwhelmingly support a proposal that military veterans from wars leading to the country's founding should for the first time join the National Day parade celebrating New China's 60th anniversary on Oct 1.

Popular Web portals were flooded with praise lauding the idea from top political advisor and Academy of Military Science senior researcher Major General Luo Yuan.

The previous 13 National Day military parades were organized according to the divisions of the Chinese army's ground, naval, airborne and nuclear forces, and only included officers on active duty.

The ceremony has never included China's 1.21 million retired servicemen - a common practice in many other countries.

"Including them in the parade is a must," a netizen from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, posted on popular Web portal Netease.com under the screen name Mayingjie610.

"They are the ones who remind Chinese that we have never done anything but keep our heads held high, even when facing the most difficult times."

Another poll of 25,000 Web users on Sohu.com found 88.4 percent supported the poll, while 10 percent opposed it for concern over the veterans' health.

Most veterans fought against Japan between 1937 and 1945, and for national liberation between 1945 and 1949.

Netizens also welcomed participation by veterans belonging to the Kuomingtang party from Taiwan for their honorable role in resisting the Japanese invasion.

Most veterans should be at least in their 80s, Luo said, adding he had noticed online comments from citizens concerned about veterans' health.

"We can arrange for them to either stand or sit in vehicles, clad in their uniforms," Luo said.

"It might be both the first and last chance for them to parade in front of Tian'anmen Square before all of the Chinese people. Some may not be able to wait another decade."

Luo's suggestion was also supported by a netizen from Changzhou, Jiangsu province.

"Perhaps we should divide them into groups, with the healthier veterans walking with younger officers and the less healthy riding in limos, wearing their uniforms and medals of honor," the netizen with the screen name Reader From Mars wrote on Sohu.com.

But not all netizens supported the proposal. Some said the move is just for show and does not address the problems faced by many veterans who live marginalized lives under poor conditions.