Speech by Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun on Symposium 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

Dear Compatriots, friends and comrades,

First and foremost, I would like to extend my highest tribute to the valiant soldiers who laid down their lives in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and to express my profound condolences to our compatriots who fell victim to the war.

Having watched the documentary and listened attentively to your speeches, I am deeply moved. In your speeches, the patriotic spirit is expressed, the profound remembrance of history, the tribute paid to the martyrs, and the cherishing of peace.

Eighty years ago, our motherland was shrouded in the flames and smoke of war, and the Chinese nation was enduring the most brutal suffering and the most indomitable struggle since modern times. Eighty years later, we are in Lesotho, together with hundreds of millions of compatriots worldwide, solemnly commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in 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 recovery from Japanese occupation. These three “eightieth anniversaries” witness to the magnificent journey of the Chinese nation — from humiliation to awakening, from division to unity, from struggling to victory. Though we’re far from the war, the memories have never faded. The gunfire, the bonds of kin, the unyielding cries and the compatriots who gave their lives for every inch of our land all remind us: today’s peace and tranquility are not given freely. The dignity and glory of our nation must be safeguarded by successive generations of Chinese people, who will uphold it with faith and responsibility.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “the great spirit of the war of resistance is a valuable spiritual asset for the Chinese people, and will forever inspire the Chinese people to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” The great spirit of the war of resistance embodies the patriotism that inspires the individual to work for the wellbeing of the country. This feeling of “put the nation and the people in the first place” remains the underlying tone of our spirit today.

The great spirit of the war of resistance embodies the dauntless national character that prepares to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. Heroes and martyrs sacrificed their lives for the country; their unbending integrity forms the backbone of the Chinese nation. The great spirit of the war of resistance embodies the heroic valor that nurtures a national will to confront brute force and fight to the last. This courage to fight and to win remains our weapon for overcoming difficulties today. The great spirit of the war of resistance embodies the great perseverance and an unfailing belief in victory. The Chinese nation’s 14 years of perseverance are the source of our strength in meeting any challenge. The spirit of the resistance against Japanese aggression is not a “past tense”, but a “present continuous”. We, as the Chinese people who live and work in Lesotho, when we unite and help one another, we are carrying forward patriotic sentiment; when we operate with integrity and abide by laws, we are demonstrating national integrity; when we safeguard unity and oppose separatism, we are continuing the heroic spirit; when we inherit China–Lesotho friendship and deepen our strategic partnership, we are embodying the steadfast conviction to jointly build an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

The 14-year War of Resistance tells us: the Communist Party of China was the pillar of the nation-wide resistance. It was under the leadership of the CPC that the Chinese nation moved from division to unity, from passive defense to active offense, from the brink of subjugation to the path of national rejuvenation.

During the War of Resistance, the CPC was the core force of the united resistance. After the September 18th Incident in 1931, the CPC successively put forward the calls to “Oppose Japan’s occupation of Northeast China” and “Stop the civil war, unite to resist Japan,” and promulgated the Ten-Point Programme for Resisting Japanese Aggression and Saving the Nation, charting the course for total resistance. In enemy-occupied areas, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, led by the CPC, established 19 resistance bases. CPC-led armed forces fought 125,000 engagements, eliminating 1.714 million Japanese and puppet troops, making decisive contributions to victory. The Chinese United Front against Japanese Aggression, advocated by the CPC, brought the CPC and the Kuomintang together, united all ethnic groups, and rallied overseas Chinese compatriots into a grand situation of “Four hundred million people all exerting themselves.”

The CPC is also the guiding force for national rejuvenation. Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the Chinese people to historic achievements and transformations. In the economy, adhering to the new development philosophy, building a new development pattern, and promoting high-quality development, China’s economic performance has ranked among the top in major economies for years, becoming a main driver of world growth, and offering new opportunities through Chinese modernization. In science and technology, major innovations have emerged continuously. In people’s livelihood, the world’s largest education, social security, and healthcare systems have been established. In national defense, the armed forces have undergone revolutionary restructuring, with greatly enhanced capabilities. On the international stage, China actively participates in global governance and promotes building a community with a shared future for mankind, becoming an important force for world peace and development.

All these achievements were won by the Chinese people under CPC leadership. History and reality both prove: CPC leadership is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental guarantee for China’s development and progress, and the common interest of all the Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan. Recognizing the CPC’s leadership is recognizing the path of China’s development, and recognizing the bright prospects of national rejuvenation.

We are in Lesotho — a beautiful country known as the “Kingdom in the Sky,” which has become a second home for many of us. Since the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Lesotho 31 years ago, our two countries have treated each other with mutual respect and pursued win–win cooperation. Last year, during the FOCAC Beijing Summit, China–Lesotho relations were elevated to a strategic partnership, making China Lesotho’s only strategic partner. As overseas Chinese here, we are witnesses and builders to China–Lesotho friendship. On this occasion, I wish to share a few hopes:

First, be practitioners of patriotism, integrating personal aspirations into the grand cause of national rejuvenation. Patriotism is concrete, not abstract. For overseas compatriots, it means unity, mutual support and maintaining a profound attachment to our ancestral (or birth) country; for Chinese enterprises, medical teams, and Confucius Institute in Lesotho, it means fulfilling duties with excellence, upholding the reputation of “Chinese quality, Chinese speed, and Chinese reputation.” Everyone endeavors to manifest the spirit of patriotism.

Second, be defenders of national sovereignty, resolutely opposing any separatist acts. Compatriots in Taiwan never yielded to Japanese colonial rule, launching over 100 armed uprisings and sacrificing 650,000 lives. In 1938, they formed the Taiwan Volunteer Force to directly join the resistance, proving with action that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” Today, every Chinese in Lesotho, whether from the mainland or Taiwan, bears the duty and the responsibility to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — by speaking out against separatist rhetoric, by presenting the truth about cross-Strait relations, and by promoting understanding and unity among compatriots. I believe the grand cause of reunification must be achieved at an early date.

Third, be envoys of China–Lesotho friendship and promoters of fine traditional Chinese culture. While benefiting from local development opportunities, we must respect Lesotho’s laws, culture, and customs, and foster friendly relations with the Basotho people. Actively promote Chinese culture and tell the stories about the CPC, Chinese people and China well, so that our Lesotho friends can know a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China — thereby deepening mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples, and putting into practice the “sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith” principle of China’s Africa policy.

Fourth, be guardians of safety, ensuring that neither our own nor national interests are harmed. In today’s complex international landscape, opportunities and challenges coexist for us in Lesotho. Strengthen awareness of safety, observe local laws, and guard against risks; Chinese enterprises should rigorously implement safety production responsibilities; compatriots should enhance self-protection and promptly contact the Embassy in times of difficulty. The Embassy will always be your strong backing, doing its utmost to resolve your concerns. At the same time, remain vigilant against external interference, and refrain from any activities detrimental to national interests, always staying “ with the heart toward the motherland.”

Eighty years ago, our compatriots won national independence and freedom with blood and lives; today, eighty years on, we have taken up the baton of national rejuvenation. Standing at this new historical starting point, we look back at the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression not to dwell on past suffering, but to draw strength for the road ahead; we commemorate victory not to perpetuate hatred, but to cherish the peace we enjoy today and to create a better future. Let us forever remember those martyrs who sacrificed for national liberation, for they paved our road with their lives; let us forever carry forward the great spirit of resisting aggression, making patriotism, national integrity, heroism, and firm belief our unchanging pursuit; let us forever strengthen our confidence in the CPC’s leadership, marching forward with firm steps on the road to national rejuvenation; let us forever unite as one, contributing our share to safeguarding national unity and promoting China–Lesotho friendship.

Thank you.