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, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China. On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the instrument of surrender, signifying the complete end of World War II.
September 3 is the Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and also the Anniversary of the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
This day not only marks the great victory of the Chinese people, but also represents the common victory of all peace-loving countries and nations around the world, including the people of Malaysia.
Eighty years ago, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation fought with unyielding resolve for 14 years, won the greatest national liberation war in modern history, and ushered in a historic turning point toward national independence and people’s liberation.
As the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese battlefield started the earliest, lasted the longest and made the greatest sacrifices. At the cost of over 35 million casualties and enormous economic losses, the Chinese people contained and destroyed large numbers of Japanese militarist forces, making an indelible historic contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
In this war of justice with the future and destiny of humankind at stake, the people of Sabah also made heroic sacrifices and contributions. During World War II, Sabah (then known as North Borneo) suffered greatly under Japanese aggression.
The people of Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and other places fought tenaciously despite the brutal occupation. The “Sandakan Death Marches” of 1945, with only six survivors, became an important historical testimony exposing the atrocities of the Japanese army.
People of all ethnic groups in Sabah, including the Chinese, Malays and Kadazan-Dusun, regardless of ethnicity or faith, laid down their lives in the struggle against fascist aggression.
The Kinabalu guerrillas, dauntless in the face of hardships and dangers, maneuvered through the mountains, launching surprise attacks on enemy forces and protecting their communities, writing a tragic and heroic epic in the “Jesselton Revolt”.
Consul Cho Huan Lai, undeterred by threats, faced the executioner’s blade with fearless resolve, embodying devotion with readiness to sacrifice his life.
Many overseas Chinese in Sabah actively supported China’s resistance by making donations, providing supplies and even returning to their motherland to fight in the battles.
Their names, together with countless martyrs of the War of Resistance, will forever be inscribed in history. This camaraderie forged in the flames of war has endured to this day, forming a solid foundation of China-Malaysia relations.
Remembering history is for a better future. The victory in World War II laid the foundation for the post-war international order underpinned by the Charter of the United Nations, and opened a new chapter in which countries collectively build peace and pursue development.
However, today’s world remains far from tranquil.
Unilateralism is on the rise and bullying practices run rampant, regional conflicts and geopolitical turbulence occur frequently, and the achievements of the victory in World War II and the international order are facing severe challenges.
President Xi Jinping has emphasized that the more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more we must insist on and uphold the authority of the United Nations, and resolutely maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order grounded in international law.
We must firmly oppose any attempt to distort the achievements of the victory of World War II, subvert the principles of the post-war international order, or undermine the United Nations’ core role in maintaining global peace and security.
We must remain loyal to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, practice genuine multilateralism, and continuously advance towards an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive and universally beneficial economic globalization.
Looking back, it is particularly important to remember that Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the fruits of victory of World War II and the post-war international order. Legally binding international instruments such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.
Upholding the one-China principle and firmly opposing the secessionist plot of “Taiwan independence” and external interference not only serves to safeguard China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and core interests, but also reflects our commitment to upholding international fairness and justice, defending the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and preserving the post-war international order.
This year is also of great significance as President Xi paid a state visit to Malaysia after an interval of 12 years. In April, the leaders of the two countries jointly announced the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future, opening a new chapter in our bilateral relations.
The China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future is manifested not only in deep economic and trade cooperation, but also in the exchanges between the two civilizations and the bond between the two peoples.
Just as the Chinese and Malaysian peoples were standing together on the anti-Fascist battlefield over 80 years ago, today we are working hand in hand on the path toward development and rejuvenation.
China and Malaysia will adhere to the Asian development path of mutual benefit, openness and cooperation, in line with the Pact for The Future and the principles of Malaysia Madani to contribute to the stability and progress in Asia, work hand in hand to address various challenges, and jointly add Asian strength to the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world.
In the great course of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese people fostered the great spirit of resistance against aggression.
This spirit demonstrated to the world the patriotism that inspires the individual to work for the wellbeing of country, dauntless national character that prepares to sacrifice oneself for the greater good, heroic valor that nurtures a national will to confront brute force and fight to the last, and great perseverance and and unfailing faith in ultimate victory.
At this historic juncture of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance, let us join hands to remember the sacrifices and devotion of our forebears, carry forward the great spirit of resistance, draw lessons from history, and look toward the future.
Together, we will strive to realize the development visions of China and Malaysia, and to build a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous, jointly writing a new chapter of the high-level strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
May the glory of history illuminate the path ahead, and the power of cooperation open up an even brighter tomorrow.
September 3 is the Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and also the Anniversary of the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
This day not only marks the great victory of the Chinese people, but also represents the common victory of all peace-loving countries and nations around the world, including the people of Malaysia.
Eighty years ago, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation fought with unyielding resolve for 14 years, won the greatest national liberation war in modern history, and ushered in a historic turning point toward national independence and people’s liberation.
As the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese battlefield started the earliest, lasted the longest and made the greatest sacrifices. At the cost of over 35 million casualties and enormous economic losses, the Chinese people contained and destroyed large numbers of Japanese militarist forces, making an indelible historic contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
In this war of justice with the future and destiny of humankind at stake, the people of Sabah also made heroic sacrifices and contributions. During World War II, Sabah (then known as North Borneo) suffered greatly under Japanese aggression.
The people of Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and other places fought tenaciously despite the brutal occupation. The “Sandakan Death Marches” of 1945, with only six survivors, became an important historical testimony exposing the atrocities of the Japanese army.
People of all ethnic groups in Sabah, including the Chinese, Malays and Kadazan-Dusun, regardless of ethnicity or faith, laid down their lives in the struggle against fascist aggression.
The Kinabalu guerrillas, dauntless in the face of hardships and dangers, maneuvered through the mountains, launching surprise attacks on enemy forces and protecting their communities, writing a tragic and heroic epic in the “Jesselton Revolt”.
Consul Cho Huan Lai, undeterred by threats, faced the executioner’s blade with fearless resolve, embodying devotion with readiness to sacrifice his life.
Many overseas Chinese in Sabah actively supported China’s resistance by making donations, providing supplies and even returning to their motherland to fight in the battles.
Their names, together with countless martyrs of the War of Resistance, will forever be inscribed in history. This camaraderie forged in the flames of war has endured to this day, forming a solid foundation of China-Malaysia relations.
Remembering history is for a better future. The victory in World War II laid the foundation for the post-war international order underpinned by the Charter of the United Nations, and opened a new chapter in which countries collectively build peace and pursue development.
However, today’s world remains far from tranquil.
Unilateralism is on the rise and bullying practices run rampant, regional conflicts and geopolitical turbulence occur frequently, and the achievements of the victory in World War II and the international order are facing severe challenges.
President Xi Jinping has emphasized that the more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more we must insist on and uphold the authority of the United Nations, and resolutely maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order grounded in international law.
We must firmly oppose any attempt to distort the achievements of the victory of World War II, subvert the principles of the post-war international order, or undermine the United Nations’ core role in maintaining global peace and security.
We must remain loyal to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, practice genuine multilateralism, and continuously advance towards an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive and universally beneficial economic globalization.
Looking back, it is particularly important to remember that Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the fruits of victory of World War II and the post-war international order. Legally binding international instruments such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.
Upholding the one-China principle and firmly opposing the secessionist plot of “Taiwan independence” and external interference not only serves to safeguard China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and core interests, but also reflects our commitment to upholding international fairness and justice, defending the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and preserving the post-war international order.
This year is also of great significance as President Xi paid a state visit to Malaysia after an interval of 12 years. In April, the leaders of the two countries jointly announced the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future, opening a new chapter in our bilateral relations.
The China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future is manifested not only in deep economic and trade cooperation, but also in the exchanges between the two civilizations and the bond between the two peoples.
Just as the Chinese and Malaysian peoples were standing together on the anti-Fascist battlefield over 80 years ago, today we are working hand in hand on the path toward development and rejuvenation.
China and Malaysia will adhere to the Asian development path of mutual benefit, openness and cooperation, in line with the Pact for The Future and the principles of Malaysia Madani to contribute to the stability and progress in Asia, work hand in hand to address various challenges, and jointly add Asian strength to the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world.
In the great course of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese people fostered the great spirit of resistance against aggression.
This spirit demonstrated to the world the patriotism that inspires the individual to work for the wellbeing of country, dauntless national character that prepares to sacrifice oneself for the greater good, heroic valor that nurtures a national will to confront brute force and fight to the last, and great perseverance and and unfailing faith in ultimate victory.
At this historic juncture of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance, let us join hands to remember the sacrifices and devotion of our forebears, carry forward the great spirit of resistance, draw lessons from history, and look toward the future.
Together, we will strive to realize the development visions of China and Malaysia, and to build a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous, jointly writing a new chapter of the high-level strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
May the glory of history illuminate the path ahead, and the power of cooperation open up an even brighter tomorrow.
