More than 700,000 living Chinese veterans or late ones' family dependents have received special medals from the government in honor of their contributions to the victory of the resistance war against Japanese aggression.??

Starting on Aug. 15, the conferring work at home has so far basically finished, according to close sources.??

Some patriotic personages, generals and international friends from both home and overseas who were invited to attend the memorial events in China were also given the medals.??

At a grand gathering yesterday at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered medals to 10 representatives of the veterans and patriotic personages in the war, which last from 1937 to 1945.??

Beforehand, eight central Chinese departments have issued two joint circulars requiring the local governments at various levels to ensure the medals be awarded to all those who deserved them.??

The gilded medals, made of pure silver, measure 2 millimeters thick and 60 millimeters in diameter. The design of the medal, which consists of six swords, the figure 60, five stars, the pagoda in Yan'an, doves and olive branches, represents armed struggle, the 60th anniversary of the victory, unity among the people, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and the joint efforts of the army and people to win the war.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2005)