International figures call for solidarity to uphold peace

As China prepares to host world leaders for its V-Day commemorations on Wednesday in Beijing, international figures have hailed the nation's sacrifice in the World Anti-Fascist War, and called for bearing the history in mind and upholding peace in the face of an increasingly fragmented world.

"If it weren't for the tremendous sacrifices made by the great Chinese people during the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, it might not have been possible for the Soviet Union to withstand the Nazi invasion. The Chinese people made significant contributions to the final victory in World War II," said Nikolai Vladimirovich Chuikov, a member of the Central Board of the Russia-China Friendship Society.

Chuikov, who is the grandson of Marshal Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov of the former Soviet Union and head of the Public Commission for International Relations of the Russian Union of Veterans, made the remarks during a group interview in Beijing on Tuesday.

He was joined by other international figures who have connections with foreign friends who made significant contributions to the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Chuikov said that some people are trying to deny, distort or gloss over the history of WWII, but others should "work together to safeguard the historical truth of WWII and defend the hard-won peace".

"We must bear the history in mind to prevent atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre from happening again," he added.

Speaking about Sino-Russian friendship, Chuikov said it is guided by the good relations between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that amid increasing instability in the international landscape, Russia and China can work together to build the foundation for global peace.

Yokichi Kobayashi, son of a Japanese veteran of the Eighth Route Army, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, said that commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression serves as a reminder to never forget history and to cherish peace.

Yokichi Kobayashi, who has long dedicated himself to promoting peace and anti-war initiatives as well as Sino-Japanese friendship in Japan, said the two countries share a bond spanning thousands of years — a history that should not be forgotten.

However, that history also includes periods of brutal aggression and victimization, which should not be forgotten either, he said.

"The atrocities committed by Japanese imperialists in China deserve to be exposed, reminding us that a nation's reflection on history is far more important than another nation's forgiveness. Only a country that is courageous in its reflection can earn the respect of the world," he added.

Michael Crook, chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, was born in Beijing, and he studied and worked in China for a long time due to his parents' association with the country.

Recalling his family's bond with China, Crook said the nation has set an example of how to uphold peace while advancing development.

"People suffered in the wars. We must work in solidarity to fight for peace," he said, expressing the hope that China will continue to play a positive role in safeguarding global peace.

Jean-Louis Bussiere, a renowned French cardiologist, is the son of Jean Jerome Augustin Bussiere, who practiced medicine in China from 1913 to 1954 and saved many lives. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, Jean Jerome Augustin Bussiere risked his life to establish "the hump route by bike" to secretly transport medicines for the Eighth Route Army.

"Through his righteous actions, my father further enriched the special relationship between China and France," Jean-Louis Bussiere said. "As we reflect on the significance of this period of history, we should advocate for respecting cultural differences and diversity to enhance solidarity and cooperation among the peoples of different nations."