By Mr. Liu Qiang, Charge D’affaires Ad Interim Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Maldives
The year of 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the Independence of the Maldives, and it also marks the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japan’s Aggression and the Anti-fascist War of the world. The particular historic significance of this year is shared by the Maldives and China, as well as the world. On this occasion, we can’t help recalling our dark hours spent under foreign invasion and slavery, commemorating the freedom of liberation, paying tribute to the glorious national services of heroes and pondering the protection of world peace and the fate of human kind.
Those thoughts streamed my mind when I presented myself with privilege at the official function hosted by His Excellency President Abdulla Yammen Abdul Gayoom to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of National Independence of the Maldives, where I witnessed the joy and glory that independence endows to Maldivian people. The hardship of foreign invasions and World War II never defeated Maldivian people. With attic faith and overwhelming heroism, Maldivian people fought with full strength to win independence in the end. It is from that moment the honor and dignity were recovered and independence and freedom became the most valuable national asset.
The history tells Chinese people and the world the same tale. Seventy years ago, when Fascists of German, Italy and Japan started the evilest World War II pushing the world into the abyss of misery, horror and desperation, people started to realize the ultimate importance of peace and independence. Among countries suffering from the WWII, China’s land was enslaved and subjugated by Japanese military forces, which violently committed innumerable heinous crimes and almost strangled Chinese people, leaving only the last breath. In face of the formidable enemy, Chinese people never wanted to give up their freedom. Men and women, the young and the old, in uniform stepped forward wave upon wave to defend the nation against Japan’s aggression, serving with courage and honor. In the end, Chinese people accomplished a complete victory after making incredible sacrifices, with aggregate casualties of 35 million people and the social wealth loss of 600 billion US dollars. Yet credits must be given to Chinese people because its resistance to Japan’s aggression, namely Main Battlefield in the East, distracted Japan’s main force and eliminated 1.5 million of it, thus supporting European Battlefield and Pacific Battlefield and contributing to the final victory of Anti-fascist War.
The experience of historical hardship shared by China and the Maldives contributes to share values pursuing national independence and world peace. As the Maldives celebrated its Golden Jubilee, China will on 3rd September hold a series of grand celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japan’s Aggression and the Anti-fascist War of the world, in such way to remember the history, cherish the martyrs, treasure peace and look to the future. We would like to take the opportunity to state that the tragedy in history and violence of invasion should never be forgotten, as only by remembering the war sufferings can we avoid recommitting the same error and only by remembering the arduous road towards peace can we fight for it sturdily. The history is the best textbook to guide us through the tests of modern world challenges. To sail the ship of humanity into the ocean of peace, we need to face the realities and learn from the lessons in history and let history be the beacon that radiates our journey. Those who intentionally choose to deny the aggression history and war crimes are undoubtedly wrong and conscienceless. Their irresponsible comments will breed new evils, which require us to keep vigilance at all times to fight against. Furthermore, we would like to take the opportunity to state that Chinese people love peace and China follows the path of peaceful development. China is willing to join hands with the international community including the Maldives to dedicatedly defend world peace and firmly safeguarding the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order with the United Nations as the core and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as the cornerstone.
There is an old Chinese saying goes like this, past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future. As both China and the Maldives have fought strenuously for independence and liberation, we would stand up to be the righteous strength against hegemony to promote the establishment of a more just international order. Moreover, our bilateral ties are in the prime time of history, with exchanges and pragmatic cooperation expanding in various fields, which contributes to peace and development. Not to mention that with respect to global challenges such as climate change and environmental protection, China and the Maldives maintain close communication and coordination to help to create better living conditions for all mankind. On this occasion of celebration for independence anniversary, it is our strong belief that China and the Maldives will march forward hand in hand under the guidance of the beacon of history, so as to make greater contributions to bring more benefits the two peoples and create a brighter future of the two nations.