China Lite
A story of some stranded veterans and an investigative journalist 2
By Feng Xin and Yu Chenkang (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-06 14:48
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Background:
In 1942, World War II, also known as the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in China, entered its most difficult and crucial stage. The Kuomintang government formed the Chinese Expeditionary Army and sent 100,000 troops to Myanmar to support its British ally, Britain, fighting against the Japanese invasion of Asia.
However, facing four times as many enemies as the troops and lacking help from its British ally, the Chinese Expeditionary Army suffered an overwhelming defeat. It wasn't until 1945 that the army won major battles in both India and Myanmar, but more than half of the 400,000 soldiers China sent to these two countries died.
After Japan surrendered in 1945, the Chinese Civil War resumed. Some veterans became stranded in foreign countries and were never able to return home.
Those veterans were not officially recognized and honored until recently, when Chinese President Hu Jintao awarded medals to some of the veterans.
Video: Feng Xin
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