Hong Kong veterans of second world war guerilla units to attend China's grand military parade in Beijing
But KMT groups say those who fought in nationalist army are not invited
At least 10 second world war veterans from Hong Kong are to attend Thursday's grand military parade in Beijing, the highlight of the nation's celebrations for the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan. But for other old soldiers, such invitations can touch a nerve.
Those veterans confirmed to attend fought as part of the East River Column's Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade - the local branch of the Guangdong guerilla squad organised by the Communist Party during the war to resist the Japanese occupiers.
They have been invited by the central government's Ministry of Civil Affairs, according to the New Territories Association of Societies, which has been helping Beijing liaise with the Hong Kong guerilla veterans.
The parade is seen as an important diplomatic event for the nation. As well as the many world leaders expected to attend, a 300-strong Hong Kong delegation will head to the capital. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will lead the delegation and, while the government has yet to issue a full list of names, some prominent local politicians are known to be attending.
They will be joined in Tiananmen Square by Lo Yiu-fai, the 88-year-old boss of a seafood restaurant in Lei Yue Mun. As a young man from the fishing village, he joined the marine detachment of the brigade in 1943, returning home after the war in 1946.
