Commemoration of 75th Anniversary of Chinese People's Victory Against Japanese Aggression in World War II -- September 3
Chinese leadership participates in commemoration
of the 75th anniversary of the Chinese people's
victory, at the Museum of the War of Chinese
People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,
Beijing, China, September 3, 2020.
On September 3, the Chinese people commemorated
the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese
People's War of Resistance Against Japanese
Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders
attended an important commemoration at the War
Museum in Beijing, joined by representatives from
all walks of life. They laid floral tributes to
all those who sacrificed their lives in the great
people's war and paid respects.
China made outstanding contributions to the cause
of liberating humankind from the scourge of Nazi
fascism and Japanese militarism. With exceptional
courage the Chinese people faced the brutality of
the Japanese imperialists, pinning down some 1.86
million Japanese soldiers -- 50 per cent of its
total force. Estimates put the number of Chinese
killed in the war at more than 14 million people.
One hundred million were turned into refugees.
Between 1939 and 1945, China suffered the loss of
some 2.2 million troops, second only to the Soviet
Union amongst the Allied countries, which lost 7.5
million. If the toll of those killed or wounded is
tallied from 1931 when the Japanese first invaded
Manchuria, then it comes to more than 35 million
people lost as a result of Japanese atrocities by
the time they were defeated on September 2, 1945.
 
The victory over the Japanese imperialists marked
the end of World War II. It was the first complete
victory won by China in its resistance against
foreign aggression in modern times. Speaking to
this on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of
this victory, President Xi said:
"This great triumph crushed the plot of the
Japanese militarists to colonize and enslave China
and put an end to China's national humiliation of
suffering successive defeats at the hands of
foreign aggressors in modern times. This great
triumph re-established China as a major country in
the world and won the Chinese people the respect
of all peace-loving people around the world. This
great triumph opened up bright prospects for the
great renewal of the Chinese nation and set our
ancient country on a new journey after gaining
rebirth.
"During the war, with huge national sacrifice,
the Chinese people held ground in the main theatre
in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War, thus
making a major contribution to its victory. In
their war against Japanese aggression, the Chinese
people received extensive support from the
international community. The Chinese people will
always remember what the people of other countries
did for the victory of their War of Resistance."
He affirmed China's commitment to peace based on
its experience in the war, saying, "The aim of our
commemoration is [...] to bear history in mind,
honour all those who laid down their lives,
cherish peace and open up the future." He went on
to affirm the rule of law in international
relations and the responsibility of all nations to
ensure that peace and cooperation prevail.
President Xi stated that "China will never seek
hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its
past suffering on any other nation." He concluded
his speech with the words, "Let us bear in mind
the great truth of history: Justice will prevail!
Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!"
In Shanghai flowers are laid for nameless
martyrs in the Chinese People's War of Resistance
Against Japanese Aggression and the World
Anti-Fascist War, September 3, 2020.
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 33 - September 5, 2020
Article Link:
Commemoration of 75th Anniversary of Chinese People's Victory Against Japanese Aggression in World War II -- September 3
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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