"All I want is for the State to recognize my role as a soldier who fought the Japanese invasion, and a medal for all of the old soldiers like me."

Luo Guozhong, a Kuomintang soldier who fought in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), said after the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced earlier this week that soldiers like him will be given high priority in the social welfare network and governments at all levels must take good care of them. The move signifies social recognition of surviving Kuomintang soldiers' contribution in the war.