40 years after the Sino-Vietnam border war, Chinese veterans defy official silence to mark the date
- Groups of retired military personnel gather in private around China despite Beijing’s reluctance to mark the politically sensitive anniversary
- Border disputes still simmer between the two countries, tensions that Beijing is wary of inflaming
In the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on Sunday, 62-year-old Sun Xingan and hundreds of his comrades met to remember those who died.
The People’s Liberation Army veterans were one of several groups of former military personnel who gathered on the weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of the China-Vietnam border war, a conflict that remains politically sensitive today.
They met in private because while the anniversary was commemorated publicly in Vietnam, the authorities in China remained silent, wary of inflaming ongoing tensions with neighbours over sovereignty.
“The authorities so far still reluctant to organise any anniversary events [for the war], but veterans across the country insisted on holding gatherings on Sunday because we still believe the war is still a badge of honour,” Sun said.
“In Qingdao, more than 300 veterans took part in a gathering to commemorate the war and mourn our comrades killed in the conflict.”