Thank you very much for joining us at the Chinese Embassy to mark the 60^th Anniversary of the Victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the War against Fascism.

 

              Sixty years ago, the fascists launched a large scale war of aggression, engulfing 2 billion people from 60 countries around the world, including China and the United States.

 

              In China, the war lasted 14 years, from Japanese fascist invasion into Northeast China on September 18^th, 1931 to their surrender on September 9^th, 1945.  During that 14 years, the invaders committed untold atrocities in China, including the bloody and brutal massacre in Nanjing.  But the people of China, with their heroic courage, were not terrified.  On July 7^th, 1937, they stood up against the invaders by going all out in an all-round war of resistance.   In the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, "the brave people of China …have withstood bombs and starvation and have whipped the invaders time and again in spite of superior Japanese equipment and arms".

 

              The War in China was part and parcel of the War against Fascism in the world and the main battleground in the Far East.  The Chinese as a nation sacrificed tremendously in fighting the Japanese invaders.  China's military and civilian casualties was a gargantuan 35 million, not to mention the direct economic loss of US$100 billion and the indirect economic loss of US$500.

 

              China's victory over the Japanese aggression was a major contribution to the victory of the worldwide War against Fascism and has a far-reaching significance to the promotion of peace and security in Asia Pacific and the rest of the World.

 

              The American people, among many others, came to our support in our War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.  There are countless moving stories of how Chinese and Americans assisted each other, fought shoulder to shoulder and forged profound friendship.

 

              In May 1942, China and the United States opened the Hump Route to carry military and civilian materials to the Chinese army and people.  In the Hump flights that played an important role in breaking through the Japanese blockade on China and in finally defeating the Japanese fascists, the American people sustained tremendous sacrifice.  The U.S. air force lost 468 air planes and 1,579 men, either died or missing, along the Hump Route.

 

              In 1941, the American Volunteer Group founded by General Chennault joined the battle on the side of the Chinese.  Called the "Flying Tigers" by the Chinese, the AVG's brave pilots made brilliant achievements one after another, shooting down and destroying over 2,500 enemy planes.  Today, we are deeply honored to have with us Mrs. Anna Chennault, wife of late General Chennault, and Senator Stevens, one of the flying tigers who fought in the skies over the battlegrounds of China, Myanmar and India.  Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in a round of applause to show our greatest respect.

 

              Another of the cooperation between Chinese and U.S. military and civilians in the War against Fascist was the rescue of the Dolittle bomber crew which took place after Pearl Harbor.  The Chinese people risked their lives to rescue and assist 64 air crew headed by Lieutenant Colonel James Dolittle of the U.S. Army Air Corps, and helped get them safely back to the United States. 

 

              Back in those years, our two great countries, China and the United States, came together in a common mission to resist the aggression of the Fascists.  In this new century, despite the significant difference in the international situation from 60 years ago, China and the United States still enjoy broad common interests and basis for cooperation, ranging from maintaining peace and stability and promoting economic growth in Asia Pacific and the world at large to meeting challenges posed by terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crimes and diseases.  It is in the interests of both our peoples to develop a constructive and cooperative relationship between China and the United States.  This will also benefit peace, stability and development in the Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.

 

              We firmly believe that our shared interests are primary despite the differences of view between us.  As long as we stick to the principles of mutual respect and seeking common grounds while putting aside differences and let dialogue, communication and cooperation dominate our interaction, our constructive and cooperative relationship will surely continue to make progress.

 

              Today, we are gathered here to mark the 60^th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Worldwide War against Fascism, and to remember those who gave their lives in the fight against Fascists.  We will not forget the damage that war had done to the peoples of both China and the United States.   Nor will we forget the sufferings that war had brought to people everywhere in the world, including the people of Japan and Germany.  But we will never allow anyone to tamper with or whitewash history.  We will never allow anyone to restage the same tragedy. 

 

              China is a peace loving country.  It will steadfastly follow the road to peaceful development and commit ourselves to working with all the countries of the world and making greater contribution to world peace and common development.

 

              China and the United States are both great countries.  The Chinese people and the American people are both great peoples.  For the good of our great peoples, for the sake of lasting peace for mankind and a better tomorrow for the world, let us join hands and work together.

 

              Thank you.