- by Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Wang Yu
- The Guardian
- Issue #2162
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. On 3 September, China hosted a grand commemoration, joining people across the world, to bear history in mind, honour the fallen heroes, cherish peace, and forge ahead for a better future. 80 years ago, the forces of justice around the world, including China and Australia, stood united to defend humanity and peace. However, 80 years on, unilateralism runs rampant, bullying prevails, and historical nihilism resurfaces. Humanity’s ship has approached branching waters, where the wisdom and strength from the history must guide our path and sustain our voyage.
We shall uphold and advocate the correct historical view of World War II, lighting up the beacon to guide our path. As the principal theatre of the World Anti-Fascist War in the East, the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression began the earliest, lasted the longest, pinned down the greatest number of troops, and incurred the greatest sacrifices. Under the banner of the anti-Japanese national united front advocated and established by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people launched a great struggle for survival and national salvation, making an immense historic contribution to the global victory over fascism. As former US President Franklin D Roosevelt once said, “Had China not been fighting, or had China been defeated, how many Japanese troops do you think would then be deployed to other regions to fight? They would have captured Australia, and India all at once …”
History has proven that light will always overcome darkness, and that justice will ultimately prevail over evil. Regrettably, there are still those who attempt to deny the strategic significance of the Chinese battlefield, or even to reverse the verdict on the aggressors. The people of the whole world will not tolerate such a reversal of the course of history.
We shall resolutely safeguard the post-war international order, steadying the helm to steer the course. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping noted during a meeting with Prime Minister Albanese that all countries should work together to uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard multilateralism and free trade, defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and make the international order more just and equitable. Taiwan’s return to China is a victorious outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order. Its historical and legal facts are indisputable, and any denial or challenge is a violation of the post-war international order and is doomed to fail.
We shall firmly defend international fairness and justice, raising the sail to speed us ahead. In the years of war, China and Australia stood side by side, leaving a legacy of moving memories. From the support shown by the Australian people to the Chinese seamen of the SS Silksworth, to the anti-war strike of Australian dockworkers in the Dalfram dispute, these stories embodied the resolute choice of the Chinese and Australian peoples to stand together on the right side of fairness and justice.
Today, as major countries in the Asia-Pacific, China and Australia are both committed to safeguarding and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in our region and the world. We should therefore work together to further advance our relations for sound development, and join hands with all peace-loving peoples, to help the ship of human progress ride the winds and waves and sail toward the shore of a community with a shared future for humanity.
