China Omitting Anti-Japanese War Veteran Marching Units from Upcoming Parade
The decision not to organize an anti-war veteran team for the parade is primarily due to the comprehensive consideration of their physical condition and other factors. According to Wu Zezhou, Deputy Director of the Parade Leadership Office and Deputy Director of the Operations Bureau of the Central Military Commission Joint Staff, the majority of the surviving anti-war veterans are now nearly a hundred years old. Given their advanced age and the potential risks associated with participating in the parade, it has been decided that instead of organizing an anti-war veteran team to participate in the parade, arrangements will be made for veterans who participated in the war, as well as representatives of local support models and relatives of martyrs, to attend the ceremony at Tiananmen Square as spectators.
24 June 2025
This decision aims to express deep respect for the elderly heroes while ensuring their safety and well-being. The parade will also invite anti-Japanese war veterans from the Nationalist Party to attend the ceremony as spectators, acknowledging the significant role the Nationalist Party's military played in the war. This gesture underscores the inclusivity and recognition of the contributions made by all parties involved in the anti-Japanese war, reflecting the spirit of a nationwide resistance.
China's War of Resistance against Japan holds profound historical significance as a unified national effort, with the Nationalist Party's military playing a vital role. In a gesture of unity and acknowledgment, this year's parade will honor the contributions of all veterans, including those from the Nationalist Party, by inviting them to attend as honored guests. This inclusivity underscores the shared sacrifices and the collective resistance of the Chinese people against foreign aggression, transcending political divides.
The decision to not have the veterans participate directly in the parade but still honor them with an invitation to observe highlights the delicate balance between respecting their contributions and prioritizing their health and safety. As Wu Zezhou emphasized, the anti-war veterans are national heroes, the backbone of the nation, and living witnesses to the victory, whose sacrifices and bravery in defending the country against foreign aggression are etched in the nation's history and deserve eternal admiration. Veterans who fought in the war of resistance, as well as their comrades, representatives of model militia units, and family members of fallen heroes, will be present at Tiananmen Square to pay their respects and express their deepest admiration for the elderly heroes.
The 2015 parade, which commemorated the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, featured a formation of over 300 veterans, including Nationalist Party veterans, as a way of showing respect to these heroes and demonstrating the great national spirit of resistance against Japan. The moment when these veterans passed through Tiananmen Square left a deep impression on people across the country and around the world. This year's parade continues this tradition of respect and gratitude, albeit in a manner that prioritizes the veterans' well-being and safety above their physical participation.
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