Youngsters to get tests in chemical injury case
By He Na (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-16 06:04

CHANGCHUN: A team of lawyers are set to organize comprehensive medical tests for two youngsters injured by a chemical weapon abandoned by the Japanese after the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The team, made up of both Chinese and Japanese legal experts, left Dunhua city in Northeast China's Jilin Province yesterday after a two-day investigation into the incident.

They launched the probe after Liu Hao and Zhou Tong discovered a 50-centimetre-long barrel containing chemicals when they were playing close to their Lianhuapao Village.

The lawyers said the boys had since suffered weakened immune systems.

The boys opened the rusted weapon in July last year out of curiosity and a toxic liquid flowed out, splashing their bodies and causing severe blistering on their hands and legs.

The team of lawyers, who visited the site where the weapon was found, decided that authoritative Chinese medical experts will be invited to determine the injuries of nine-year-old Liu and Zhou, 13, next May.

The medical certification would form important evidence to be put forward to the Japanese Government for any compensation claims.

"We sincerely welcome the participation of local lawyers in Dunhua to continue investigations into the incident and maintain contact with the parents of the two boys frequently when we are away. Anyone with an interest in it should contact us," said Su Xiangxiang, one of the Chinese lawyers in the party.

Experts said that mustard gas, which the weapon was believed to contain, has a very long incubation period. Since there is no effective medical treatment for it, people who are poisoned often have to suffer throughout their lifetime.

"Although the two boys have no apparent difference from other students during their daily life, their immunity has been seriously affected. They catch colds much more easily than others. Moreover, they often had symptoms similar to carsickness after they recovered from the injury," Su said.

"We want the Japanese Government to compensate for the pains that my child is suffering. All the family members are worried about his health," one of the boys' father said.

Minami Noria, a lawyer from Japan, said: "The Japanese Government should have a clear attitude on the issue, since there is no doubt about the fact that the two boys have been injured by Japanese chemical weapons. The question of providing medical care for the boys should be solved by the Japanese Government."

(China Daily 12/16/2005 page3)