Chen Xiaolu (second from right), son of a former top leader, bows to apologize on behalf of schoolmates at a gathering on Oct 7 for disgracing teachers during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).[CHEN JIAN / FOR CHINA DAILY]

Some elderly Chinese are publicly apologizing for having persecuted innocent people during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), in a bid to remind young people not to forget history. Looking back on that painful memory, Chen Xiaolu, son of a former top leader, said he could not hide his deep regret. The magazine News China chose them as the People of the Year- Respectable award winner.