KUNMING, Sept. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Forty-four US WWII veterans were granted "honorary citizenship" in this capital city of southwest China's Yunnan Province on Saturday for their brave wartime performance 60 years ago.

    The veterans were members of the famous "Flying Tigers" contingent, who fought shoulder to shoulder with Chinese soldiers in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) and flew along the dangerous "Hump" freight transportation route via the Himalayas to strengthen China's defence capacity.

    The American veterans arrived here on Thursday for a series of activities marking the 60th anniversary of China's victory in its fight against Japanese invasion and the world's victory against Fascism.

    The Chengong Airport in Kunming hosted the US planes in the warand witnessed the brotherhood between the American and Chinese soldiers and the unity between the army and civilians.

    A senior US veteran said at the ceremony that China has healed its wounds of war and great changes have taken place in the country.

    "We sincerely hope that the firm friendship and profound affection will continue from generation to generation between the people of the two countries. We will forever remember our comrade-in-arms and the site of the battlefield here," said the veteran. Enditem