- by Wang Fenzhong – Acting Consul-General of China in Perth
- The Guardian
- Issue #2156
Chinese Dragon as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria. Photo: Chris Fithall – flickr.com (CC BY 2.0)
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. More than eight decades ago, during one of humanity’s darkest hours, China and Australia stood firmly as allies in the fight against fascism, defending human dignity and world peace through immense sacrifice. Today, as we commemorate this historic triumph, we reflect deeply on the past while solemnly reaffirming our commitment to a shared future.
I. Remembering History: The Light of Justice in Shared Struggle
As the main Eastern theatre of the World Anti-Fascist War, China endured 14 years of brutal resistance, suffering over 35 million casualties and economic losses amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars. The Chinese people’s tenacious struggle effectively pinned down the bulk of the Japanese forces, thwarting Japan’s ambitions to advance northward against the Soviet Union and southward into the Pacific, making great contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. As former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull once remarked, “Without the immense sacrifices on the Chinese front, the flames of Japanese aggression might have already engulfed the Australian continent.”
Australian forces fought valiantly in pivotal battles such as the Coral Sea and New Guinea campaigns, forming a strategic complement to China’s resistance efforts. Together, our nations wrote an indelible chapter in the global pursuit of freedom and peace. This shared legacy, forged in blood and courage, is best encapsulated by the ANZAC spirit: “The days we fought together will forever bind our hearts.”
II. Honouring the Fallen: A Friendship Forged in Blood and Fire
We pay tribute to the heroes who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom, and we express profound gratitude to all anti-fascist forces worldwide who stood with the Chinese people in their struggle for justice.
The Chinese people will never forget:
The thousands of Chinese-Australian youths who joined in the World Anti-Fascist War, forming the largest ethnic minority group in the Australian military;
The “Gull Force,” who fought side by side with Chinese Communist-led resistance forces in Hainan, sacrificing their lives for a common cause;
The Wollongong dockworkers who went on strike to block shipments of war materials to Japan, their rallying cry – “Pig iron can melt, but justice will never solidify” – still resonating today.
These acts of courage and solidarity across borders form the deepest and strongest foundation of China-Australia friendship.
III. Cherishing Peace: Peaceful Development Prevails over Conflict and Confrontation
The scars of war remind us that peace is not a given. It’s a fundamental civilisational value that must be collectively safeguarded. As the proverb wisely states, “It takes more courage to keep the peace than to go to war.”
Though peace and development remain the defining themes of our era, the world remains far from tranquil. The spectre of conflict still looms over humanity. The more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more we must firmly uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, the fundamental norms of international relations based on the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.
The Chinese people have no gene for seeking hegemony or engaging in militaristic expansion. Since the founding of New China, China has never initiated any war or occupied an inch of foreign land. China is ready to work with Australia to stay firmly on the path of peaceful development.
IV. Shaping the Future: Asia-Pacific Partners on a Win-Win Path
Today, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, while acts of hegemony, coercion, and bullying threaten global stability. Humanity once again faces a crossroads: unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum rivalry.
Aimed at building a shared future, China calls on all nations to uphold solidarity, choosing dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and mutual benefit over zero-sum games. We must embrace true multilateralism and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
As fellow Asia-Pacific nations and key G20 members, China and Australia share no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest. We are fully capable of becoming trusted partners in mutual success, contributing to the prosperity of both nations and the peace and stability of our region and the world.
From the crucible of World War II to the era of globalisation, China-Australia relations have weathered storms and emerged stronger.
History teaches us that true friendship is not the absence of storms, but the resolve to weather them together. True partnership is not merely about promises, but about walking side by side.
May China and Australia join hands to carry forward our friendship through remembrance and shape a brighter future through cooperation. Let our bond flourish like Australia’s jacaranda and China’s peony, shining together under the sun of peace, and creating an even brighter tomorrow for the Asia-Pacific region!
