On the morning of the 24th, the Information Office of the State Council of China held a press conference in Beijing to introduce the overall arrangements for commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. When asked whether Kuomintang anti-Japanese veterans would be invited to this parade, Wu Zeke, Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission Parade Leading Group Office and Major General Deputy Director of the Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department, stated that the Chinese War of Resistance was a war involving the whole nation and that "the Kuomintang army also played a very important role." This time, Kuomintang anti-Japanese veterans will be invited to watch the parade on site.
According to a report by United Daily News, on the morning of the 24th, the Information Office of the State Council of China held a press conference in Beijing, where Hu Heping, Executive Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and others introduced the overall arrangements for the "Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War" and answered questions from journalists. A Phoenix TV reporter asked whether, like the 2015 parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance, where veteran squads were arranged to participate, Kuomintang anti-Japanese veterans would be invited this time.
Wu Zeke pointed out that anti-Japanese war veterans are heroes of the nation, the backbone of the people, and witnesses to victory. He noted that over 80 years ago, these veterans stepped forward in times of peril, fighting for the nation, for the country, and for dignity, "defending our beautiful homeland." Their heroic resolve, tenacious spirit in resisting foreign aggression, and noble quality of self-sacrifice are worthy of our eternal admiration.
Wu Zeke said that in 2015, when organizing the parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance, a contingent composed of more than 300 war veterans was organized to be the first formation to be reviewed. This group included veterans, previous exemplary representatives, as well as descendants of martyrs, and also involved the participation of Kuomintang anti-Japanese veterans, reflecting deep respect for heroic forebears and the great spirit of the whole nation's war of resistance. When they passed through Tiananmen, they created many deeply moving classic moments that touched people from all ethnic groups and the world.
Wu Zeke continued, saying that ten years have passed, and most of these veterans are now nearly 100 years old. They are the living witnesses and participants of history, and treasures of the Chinese nation. This parade, taking into account physical conditions and other factors, will no longer organize a formation of veterans to take part in the parade. Instead, veterans who participated in the War of Resistance, retired comrades, former militia, locally recognized model representatives, and family members of martyrs will be arranged to watch the parade at Tiananmen, to convey profound respect for the veteran heroes. The Chinese War of Resistance was a war involving the whole nation, and "the Kuomintang army also played a very important role." This time, Kuomintang anti-Japanese veterans will be invited to watch the parade on site.
As for the question from a Bloomberg reporter about whether other leaders would be invited, Hu Heping stated that, in accordance with the overall arrangements for this commemorative event, leaders of relevant countries, former political leaders, senior officials, key heads of international organizations, foreign military attachés and international organization representatives in China, as well as international friends who contributed to China’s victory in the War of Resistance or their relatives, will be invited to the commemorative activities. Relevant information will be announced in due course.
Hu Heping pointed out that on the morning of September 3rd, a grand rally will be held at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, including a review of the troops. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, will deliver an important speech.