The
China Legal Aid Foundation announced that it has received
over 2.56 million yuan (US$318,289) in donations since last July.
The money will be used on a legal aid fund for victims
suffering from Japanese war crimes during World War II.
At a ceremony to mark the donations on Saturday in Beijing, a
Foundation official said the donations, from enterprises and
individuals, are expected to help alleviate financial burdens
caused by the lawsuits against Tokyo.
Most of the 25 civil lawsuits demanding compensation from the
Japanese government have failed due to a shortage of aid funds.
In addition to war atrocities, scores of Chinese have been
injured by leftover poison gas shells in recent years. The chemical
weapons were abandoned in China by Japan's retreating army after
World War II.
(CRI February 26, 2006)