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Comrade Tong Zeng:

　　After reading the important news report on “Japan Post-war Compensation International Hearing Was Held in Tokyo” on Page 1-3 of the “Shubao” on January 16, 1993 as well as your long discussion, I am really excited! As a direct victim of the heavy devastating bombing of Leshan by 36 Japanese aircrafts on August 19, 1939, I am filled with deep hatred and resentment. In order to respond to your claim signature campaign, I recalled the disaster in that year and wrote a news report to Leshan Daily, and mailed it to Sichuan Daily. I don’t mind whether or not it can be published.

　　I hereby send you the copy of the manuscript, hoping you can give me correction if there is any. Your righteous and patriotic voice will surely receive support from compatriots nationwide.

　　Regards
Sincerely yours

74 year old disabled civilian
Min Yingquan
3-4F Apartment, 107 West Daqiao Street, Leshan City, Sichuan Province
Operator of “Loushi Tea Shed” at Daqukou, Shizhong District

Please Read, circulate and sign names

　　Since the Japanese Imperialist invaders waged war against China, they wantonly bombed cities without air defense in the hinterland of China. Large tracts of territories were bombed, and innocent people died tragic deaths. In 1939 Japan dispatched 36 aircrafts to bomb Leshan in a crazy operation, which destroyed more than half of the Jiazhou ancient town. 5000 people died, in which over 40 households were totally destroyed. Leshan suffered the biggest calamity in its history!

　　I am the direct victim of the bombing in Leshan in those years. After reading the news “International Hearing on Post-war Japanese Compensation” by journalist Zhang Huanli of Xinhua News Agency from Tokyo on the “Shubao” on January 16, 1993, followed by Comrade Tong Zeng’s “An Account of Chinese Civilians Demanding Damage Compensation from Japan” article, which spoke out the innermost voice of all the Chinese people, as a direct victim of the bombing of Leshan by Japanese aircrafts on August 19, 1939, I respond to the signature campaign initiated by Tong Zeng for demanding damage compensation from the Japanese government. All Leshan compatriots, together with compatriots in the province and across the nation, please take active action to voluntarily join the signature campaign for demanding damage compensation from the Japanese government.

Signature format

Please mail the signature book to Tong Zeng at Beijing China Research Center on Aging
73 year old disabled civilian
Min Yingquan
March 1, 1993
3-4F, 107 West Daqiao Street, Leshan

Uphold national dignity, safeguard human rights

　　36 Japanese heavy aircrafts bombed Leshan!

　　Destroyed the entire prosperous economic business zone, more than half of Jiazhou City!

　　Five thousand people died in flying blood and flesh, resulting in heavy economic loss!

Min Yingquan

　　On August 19, 1939, the Japanese army killed our people and caused huge economic loss. Leshan people have the right, and the great Chinese people have the right to demand civilian economic damage compensation from the Japanese government as defeated nation.

　　The Japanese Imperialist invaders crazily waged invasion war against China, wantonly bombing cities without air defense in the hinterland of China. Cities were transformed into scorched soil, innocent civilians died in the explosion of explosive bombs and incendiary bombs, blood and flesh flying in the air, and families were destroyed. It was indeed a terrible scene!

　　According to international law, the defeated nation must compensate for the loss sustained by the victory nation, wherein, the compensation includes compensation to government, and compensation for civilian economic loss. About war compensation between nations, our great statesman Premier Zhou Enlan had clearly indicated to “abandon war compensation from Japan” in the Sino-Japanese Government Joint Declaration signed on behalf of the Chinese government on September 29, 1972 about 20 years ago. Here, people are clearly aware that, the Chinese government only abandoned war compensation between governments, but has never abandoned civilian damage compensation.

　　The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on March 11, 1992 that: civilian victims of the war between Japan and China can directly demand Japan to compensate loss. Subsequently, General Secretary Jiang Zemin answered questions from Japanese journalists in April 1992 before visiting Japan, “about the unsettled case between Japan and China”, Jiang confirmed the following standpoint: (I) …… (II) We have abandoned the claim as country to demand Japan to offer war compensation, but there is no restriction on the civilian demand for compensation.

　　Based on the above, victims of the Leshan people have the right, the great Chinese people have the right to demand economic loss compensation to Chinese civilians from the Japanese government as a result of the war. Please read the following contents!!!

　　Journalist Zhang Huanli of Xinhua News Agency sent report from Tokyo: “Japan Post-war Compensation International Hearing Was Held in Tokyo”! 65-yeard old senior Wan Aihua from Shanxi Province, who was captured by the Japanese Invasion Army as “military prostitute” in that year, approached microphone to protest against the Japanese army’s inhuman behaviors, beating, persecution, and raping crimes. She burst into tears, and “fainted on the auditorium on the spot”, so the international hearing was forced to adjourn. The entire Japan was thrown into turmoil and numerous camcorders at the site recorded everything in close-up. In a moment, the irrefutable fact that Chinese women being raped by Japanese soldiers was transmitted to all the countries worldwide through satellite to be known to everyone.

　　Al the people living in Leshan! In the noon of August 19, 1939, 36 Japanese aircrafts dived low and dropped numerous explosive bombs and incendiary bombs, and sued machine gun to spray bullets, then the entire prosperous commercial zone was turned into a field of scorched land. It destroyed a large half of Jiazhou Ancient Town from Xiaogongzui New Wharf, Banchang Street, Jiaochangba, Front and Back River Street to Gaobeimen, Tuqiao Street to Xiaoshizi, Yinchunmen to Daomenkou, and more than five thousand people died, in which over 40 households were totally destroyed. In my memory I clearly remember that everyone in the family surnamed Liu at Jiaochangba Ruichangyuan Dried Vegetable Shop all died with no survivor! (left side of Shizhong District Industry and Commerce Federation), and all the goods in my father Min Shoubo’s Yangcanglong Dried Vegetable Shop were destroyed by the bombing (right side of Shizhong District Industry and Commerce Bureau today). When I was running away from the alarm, I was injured in the stampede because of left hand being stepped on to bring disability. Large tracts of Chinese territory and cities were destroyed, and numerous peopled died in the explosion and fire!

　　All fellow compatriots across the nation! The deep-seated hatred has been buried deep for half a century. Journalist Comrade Zhang Huanli of Xinhua News Agency reported the heart-inspiring news of International War Compensation Hearing, and what’s more valuable is that: a 37-year old master in law named Tong Zeng from Sichuan who specialized in international law searched huge volumes of international materials, and wrote a 10 thousand word article, which he mailed the Bureau for Letters and Calls of the General Office of the National People’s Congress, and delivered letters to all delegates of the provincial people’s congresses to drum up support. Thanks to his efforts it was listed into proposals of the Fifth Meeting of the Seventh Session of the National People’s Congress for discussion in March 1992.

　　It is worth mentioning that: in August 1990, nine septuagenarian Japanese seniors received “USD 20000 damage compensation” per person and a letter of apology with sincere wording from President Bush. This marked a part of the USD 1.25 billion damage compensation demanded by expatriates of Japan, one of the initiator of the WWII.

　　I want to tell the Japanese government, your expatriates have received compensation and letter of apology from the US President after demanding war compensation from other countries due to war damage, so we Chinese people are fully justified to demand damage compensation from the Japanese government, for it is a righteous demand with international precedence.

　　The fact that Tong Zeng initiated signature campaign for demanding civilian damage compensation from the Japanese government is totally rational and legitimate. It is totally righteous. All national compatriots should actively respond to this claim signature campaign. Dear compatriots, the young generation! Although you have not personally experienced the damage of Japanese invasion war, the humiliation and persecution sustained by your ancestors, uncles, and daughters are too numerous to record, your ancestor’s establishments, properties, and assets received damage and destruction, and your ancestors died in war! Today, by cherishing generous mindset to demand economic compensation from the Japanese government, we have fulfilled international humanitarian obligations, so the USD 180 billion civilian economic damage must be returned. All seniors, brothers and sisters in China! Let’s take action, and kick off signature campaign for damage compensation against Japan based on enterprise, public institution, community, neighborhood, and rural area as unit! All pedestrians passing Leshan downtown area can go to Daqukou “Loushi Tea Shed” to sign signature. Signature books from all regions can be mailed to Tong Zeng at Beijing “China Research Center in Aging”.