Ma Ying-jeou, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party, paid tribute to anti-Japanese heroes Wednesday, in memory of the 60th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese rule and the 75th anniversary of an anti-Japanese uprising by minority people.

According to media reports from Taipei, the KMT leader highlighted Oct. 25, 1945, the day when Taiwan was recovered by the Chinese government, as an important date in the history of Taiwan Province.

Ma called the heroes the best examples of Taiwan compatriots in their struggle for democracy and freedom and against the Japanese aggression.

These Taiwan heroes took actions almost the same time with the revolutionary martyrs in the mainland, he stressed.

Ma blamed the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for neglecting the important day, saying the ruling DDP's government has forgotten the day, "seemingly with intention".

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2005)