Martyr cemeteries illegally used for commercial real estate: Major General

(ECNS) -- Major General Luo Yuan said that some martyr cemeteries lack proper care and urged the government and public to pay more tribute to those who lost their lives for the country, the Paper reported.

Luo, also deputy chairman and secretary of China Strategic Cultural Promotion Association and former representative of the People's Congress, hailed a proposal by the State Council to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on August 25 supporting the establishment of a national veterans day on September 30 each year.

Luo said in an interview with the Paper that setting up such a national day is necessary for the public to commemorate these heroes and the contributions they made to the country.

He mentioned that in some places people aren't paying enough respect to such heroes, as some cemeteries lie desolate or have been illegally developed for commercial use.

The proposed national day is one prior to China's Independence Day that falls on October 1, which, according to Luo, would show the government's stress on honoring martyrs.