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China highlights revolutionary spirit by mourning martyears

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-04 20:44

REBURIAL FOR MARTYRS

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has begun a national survey of martyears' tombs and memorial facilities that scatter around, which is expected to conclude in June. Following the survey, a national project would be launched to rebury the martyears in cemeteries.

It is estimated more than one million tombs of martyears are currently outside martyears cemeteries and 7,000 memorial facilities are under poor protection.

Most of the tombs and facilities are small in size, often dilapidated. Some might disappear someday without protection efforts.h   "The memorial facilities are not only places where we bury and mourn revolutionary martyears, but also venues for education in patriotism and revolutionary tradition," Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Sun Shaocheng said at a national conference on protection of memorial facilities for martyears before the Tomb Sweeping Day.

About 20 million martyears gave their lives to China's revolution and construction. Most of them are unsung heroes and only 1.8 million names were on government records.

"When you drink water, think of its source. The reburial is a move to promote the revolutionary spirit of martyears and exhibition of humanity," remarked Xu Xiaoyue, a professor with Chinese Culture Research Institute of Nanjing University.

In another sign of respect for martyears, China will continue to raise the pension for their families, said Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo.

The pension has been raised for 20 times since 1979, from 72 yuan per year to the current 5,240 yuan ($800) for rural families and from 120 yuan to 8,730 yuan for urban families.