Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday addressed a grand gathering at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Reuters reports.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the gathering was an occasion for people to jointly remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and create a better future.
"On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission, I pay high tribute to all the veteran soldiers and comrades, patriots and officers who fought in the War of Resistance, and to the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation from both home and abroad who made important contributions to our victory. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all foreign governments and friends that supported and assisted the Chinese people in resisting aggression. I also extend a warm welcome to our guests from around the world who are with us today," said Xi.
China was the first to fight against fascist aggression and sustained the longest resistance. With huge national sacrifice, the Chinese people held ground in the main theater in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War.
In 1945, after 14 years of resistance, China achieved victory at a tremendous cost of 35 million military and civilian casualties.
Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, signing the Instrument of Surrender to China and other Allied powers. China celebrated the victory the following day. In 2014, the country legislated to designate Sept. 3 as Victory Day of War of Resistance.
