中文
English(Chinese Embassy, Suva, 3 September 2015 )
Honorable Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Honorable Madam Maria Bainimarama,
Honorable Minister Jioji Konrote,
Honorable RFMF Acting Commander Commodore Viliame Naupoto,
Excellencies and Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening! Welcome you all to the Chinese Embassy for this Reception marking the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Victory of the World Anti-fascist War.
A couple of hours ago, the Chinese Government held a grand commemorative ceremony in Beijing. Among the 49 countries represented, 30 heads of state, heads of government and other foreign leaders, 19 high-level government representatives and 10 heads of the international and regional organizations attended the event. 31 countries sent military delegations to observe the parade, among which 17 countries sent formations or representative teams to join the parade, including a high-level delegation of RFMF and a 7-member RFMF team headed by Land Force Commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho. The Fijian soldiers marched through Tiananmen Square in high moral, presenting the good image of the Fijian military forces as well as the country. They have left a deep impression on the Chinese people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
70 years ago, after years of fierce fighting and bloodshed, the people of the world's anti-fascist alliance finally saw the victory. With Japan declaring surrender, the World War Ⅱ, which was started by the Japanese militarists, German and Italian fascists, came to an end. The war inflicted enormous sufferings on 2 billion people of over 80 countries and regions around the Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, causing great havoc unseen in history to the human civilization.
As the main oriental battlefield of the World Anti-fascist War, the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was the one that broke out the earliest, lasted the longest, and caused the greatest casualties. With the heavy cost of 35 million casualties, the Chinese military and people pinned down and fought against the main force of the Japanese troops over a long period of time, providing strategic support to the Allied troops' operations in the Europe and Pacific theatres, and preventing and upsetting the coordination between the Japanese, German and Italian fascists for joining their forces together. The Chinese people have made indelible historic contributions to the final defeat of the world fascist forces. The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression is the first complete victory won by China in its resistance against foreign aggression in modern times, which is of great historic significance.
We will never forget the enormous support and assistance that we received from the Allied countries during the difficult time of China's War of Resistance;
We will never forget those international friends, medical workers, journalists and anti-fascist fighters who took various forms and ways to assist and participate in China's War of Resistance.
We will never forget those heroes from different countries who volunteered to fight for China and made heroic sacrifices.
We will never forget the sacrifices by allied soldiers in those fierce battles at Pacific theatre which paved the way for the final victory over the Japanese fascist and the contributions made by Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries who were members of world anti-fascist alliance.
We will never forget the patriotic actions by the overseas Chinese in Fiji who contributed whatever they had, to buy warplanes to support China's War of Resistance.
History shall not be forgotten. Those heroes who sacrificed their lives for the peace, dignity and freedom of mankind deserved to be respected and honored forever. The commemorative events held by the Chinese Government are for the purpose of remembering history, honoring the heroes and promoting their noble spirit of safeguarding peace and justice. It is also for the purpose of learning lessons from history in order to embrace the future, and to ensure that peace will prevail throughout the world and tragedy of war will never happen again.
China sticks to the path of peaceful development. This is a conclusion and strategic choice made by the Chinese people based on their objective judgment on the history, reality and future. China is a peace-loving nation. The love for peace and the pursuit of harmony are deeply embedded in the DNA of the Chinese people.
As President XI Jinping pointed out at the ceremony in Beijing, no matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation. The Chinese people are resolved to pursue friendly relations with all other countries, uphold the outcomes of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War, and make greater contribution to mankind.
As one of the major founders of the post-war international order, China plays an important role in safeguarding world peace. China has contributed the biggest number of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Everyday over 3,000 Chinese peacekeepers are discharging their duties all over the world.
Over the years, Fiji has also actively participated in the UN peacekeeping operations in Golan Heights, Sinai, Iraq, and Sudan, and made significant contributions to maintaining regional orders.
China and Fiji share the common responsibility and task in maintaining global and regional order and in promoting national development for the betterment of peoples' livelihood. In order to focus attention on development, China and Fiji need more than ever a peaceful, stable and favorable international environment. China is committed to developing strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development with Fiji. To deepen China-Fiji cooperation and to seek common development is not only conducive to the long-term interest of our two countries and the two peoples, but also beneficial to the world peace and development.
Let's make joint efforts for a lasting peace and a greater prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
Again, thank you very much for your attendance tonight!
Vinaka Vakalevu!