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Sixtieth Anniversary of Victory of Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War Commemorated

CPAFFC’s Reception Welcoming Foreign Friends Attending

Commemoration of 60th Anniversary of Victory of China’s

Resistance War and World Anti-Fascist War

Our Staff Reporter

The 60th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression fell on September 3， 2005. At the invitation of the CPAFFC， more than 200 veterans who took part in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and family members of the deceased veterans from 20-odd countries including Russia， the United States and Japan came to China to attend a series of activities held in Beijing in early September to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the victory of the war of resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War.

CPAFFC President Chen Haosu hosted a welcoming reception in the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel on the evening of September 1 in honour of these foreign friends. State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan， Vice Chairmen Li Guixian and Luo Haocai of the National Committee of the CPPCC and leading members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs， the Department of General Staff of the PLA and other departments concerned， were present at the reception.

In his speech， Tang Jiaxuan said， the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese nation has written a brilliant chapter in the annals of the victory of World Anti-Fascist War with its tremendous sacrifices and great victory and contributed significantly to maintaining world peace. The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance can not be separated from the support of all peace-loving countries and people in the world. We will never forget that at the critical juncture of life or death for the Chinese nation， progressive personages from many countries came to China despite the great distance from their homes and fought shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese army and people， making indelible contributions to the victory of the war. They have achieved touching and glorious deeds with their blood and lives， which reflect their internationalism of unity and mutual assistance， their dedication in face of death， their opposition to aggression and their pursuit of peace and justice.

On behalf of the Chinese people CPAFFC President Chen Haosu expressed in his speech high respect and gratitude to the veterans coming from 22 countries who fought in China’s war of resistance. He said: “The Chinese people will never forget that at a perilous moment for our nation， you fought shoulder to shoulder with us， rendered support to the Chinese army and people with your lives and blood and made great contributions to safeguarding China’s independence and achieving world peace and freedom.” He pointed out: “When we commemorate today the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression， it is not to spread hatred， but to create friendship and cherish peace. China and the former Soviet Union， the United States， Korea， Mongolia and other countries were close allies fighting together in the war， and now we will develop close cooperation under new historical conditions. China and Japan were belligerent countries in the war， therefore， it is all the more necessary for us to turn swords into ploughshares and work together for peace， friendship and cooperation in the new century.” “We have the same aspiration as you veterans---that is， let the past calamities of war never be repeated and let people all over the world always live in the sunshine of peace，” continued he.

Gen. Vladimir Govorov， chairman of the Russian Veterans Committee， Clifford Long， member of the US Flying Tigers， and Mitsushige Maeda， veteran of the Anti-War League of the Japanese in China， addressed the reception. They spoke highly of the outstanding contributions of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and expressed their willingness to continue to work together with the Chinese people to maintain world peace.