Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau, recently represented Malaysia at a historical commemoration in Beijing, joining world leaders and Chinese diaspora representatives from around the globe.
The event marked the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, held at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.
The ceremony featured a grand military parade and was attended by numerous heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“As I stood at Tiananmen Square, witnessing this solemn moment alongside world leaders, what filled my heart was not only emotion, but also a profound sense of responsibility,” Dexter said.
The commemoration stirred powerful emotions for Dexter, who recalled his family’s wartime experiences.
His grandfather narrowly escaped death during the war, while his pregnant grandmother was brutally attacked by enemy soldiers. The family business, Kim Teck Cheong, was forced to halt operations during the conflict.
Drawing parallels to recent challenges, Dexter compared the Covid-19 pandemic to a war without smoke and fire, pointing out how his 88-year-old family business survived by maintaining resilience and responsibility across generations.
“The recent pandemic brought the world to a standstill. As a business with an 88-year legacy, we did everything we could not just to safeguard a livelihood, but to uphold our family’s resilience and enduring responsibility,” he said.
He said his invitation to this prestigious event was an honour shared with MCCC Sabah and its members.
“I represent not only Sabah, but also Sarawak, the whole of East Malaysia and even Borneo including Brunei. Though Borneo may be geographically far from Beijing, our voice can still be heard on the world stage,” he said.
The ceremony was co-hosted by China’s top governing bodies, including the Communist Party Central Committee, National People’s Congress Standing Committee, State Council, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Central Military Commission.
Looking forward, Dexter said the event reinforced both the value of peace and his determination to elevate Sabah’s business community internationally.
“To remember history is to illuminate the future, and only through cooperation can we achieve mutual success,” he said.
Under MCCC Sabah’s mission of linking resources, building platforms, and expanding opportunities, Dexter pledged to continue strengthening Sabah’s role in international trade, economic cooperation and cultural exchange.
He also encouraged younger generations, noting that many young people today quickly give up when facing difficulties.
“History teaches us, again and again, that after the storm comes the rainbow.
“The most important thing is for everyone to engage in self-reflection, to draw lessons from challenges and to build resilience in adversity.
“We must take responsibility for our roles, manage our businesses with dedication and ensure that every step forward is an improvement from yesterday,” he said.
The event marked the fourth major national celebration since Xi Jinping assumed leadership in 2012 and the 19th large-scale military parade since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, drawing global attention to China’s commitment to remembering history while cherishing peace.
