Beijing, Sept 02 — The descendants of World War II (WWII) from various parts of the world have shared their experience about the cruelty of war, sacrifices of the Chinese people which led to a total victory against the Japanese army and the significance of passing history to the current generation.
This unfolded on Tuesday during a press briefing staged at Beijing Press Centre as China looks forward to commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War which lasted for 14 years since 1931 to 1945.
Among the invitees and also one of the descendants of WW II, Mr. Kobayashi Yokichi (74) a Japanese son of the veteran soldier Mr. Kobayashi Yokichi from the Eighth Route Army, said he has long been dedicated to anti-war and peace initiatives.
Mr. Kobayashi pointed out that the war of aggression by the Japanese has illustrated cruelty and imperialism and there is a strong need to pass on and advocate for peace, love and adhere to Japan-China friendship.
“During the WW II, my father got wounded and captured by the Chinese army and it was a painful mood, but attempts of trying to escape, he gave up because definitely he was going to face the Japanese military tribunal, fortunately he was given a full freedom and equality”, he highlighted.
Sharing the same sentiments, Mr. Jean-Loius Bussiere (70) one of the renowned French cardiologists and also a son of Dr. Jean Jerome Augustin Bussiere, highlighted that his father (Dr. Bussiere) once served as the medical officer of the French Legation in China and as the Director of the French Hospital.
Mr. Bussiere further said during the war of Resistance against the Japanese Aggression, his father used to secretly transport the medicines to the Eight Route Army through the Bussiere Garden, establishing a bicycle route to the frontlines.
Another special guest and also a Russian citizen, Mr. Nikolai Vladimirovich Chuikov, the grandson of Marshal Vasily. Ivanosh Chuikov of the Soviet Union by then, highlighted that his relationship with China emanates from his ancestors, particularly the grandfather who served as a military attache and chief of military advisor to the Chinese government from 1940 to 1942.
Additionally, he highlighted that at later stage he became one of the initiators of the Russian-Chinese friendship Association, citing that if there were no Chinese people standing against the Japanese aggression, it is possible that the Soviet Union would not be able to resist the attack, hence the acknowledge the Chinese people for their huge sacrifice.
Mr. Chuikov stressed that the Chinese people made a great contribution to the war of resistance and the entire world war, highlighting that out of the sacrifices made by Russia and China, more than 3500 Chinese military and civilian casualties have been lost, while in Soviet Union, they were more than 2800 and many of them were ordinary people, hence the need to protect history.
“Teaching platforms like this play a vital role in carrying out patriotic education, citing that Russians and Chinese people have made a huge contribution to the victory and reshaping the world”, he explained.
On the same note, President of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, Mr. Jeffrey Greene (71), who is also the former U.S. Marine Corps pilot said they began the foundation 30 years ago with the idea of exploring and educating the next generation about the importance of the shared China-US legacy behind the Flying Tigers.
Mr. Greene remarked that it is quite an adventure and also an honour to be in China with other veterans and even more exciting to see the way they are greeted and respected by Chinese people, citing that the event provides them a platform where to reconnect with history.
“Whenever I come to China, it is a great honor to me because I can see how much the Chinese people respect the Flying Tigers veterans”, he recounts.
On the other hand, Mr. Michael Crook (74) who hold a dual citizenship of both United Kingdom and Canada, and the son to Mr. David Crook who joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1935, went to Spain in 1936 to join the International Brigades against fascism, and was dispatched to China by the Comintern in 1938.
Mr. Crook pointed out that when it comes to war, ordinary people suffer the most, therefore peace is precious and the world must unite in pursuit of peace, adding that we also feel engaged in people to people diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the main event for the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist is scheduled for Wednesday at Beijing with the huge military parade displaying the latest development of Chinese military hardware, where at least 26 foreign leaders from different countries will grace the event.
Ends/RM/ml
