Distinguished guests, dear friends,
Good afternoon and Namaste!
It is my great pleasure to be here with all of you at the Chinese Embassy in India. Today, with profound respect for history, deep remembrance of the fallen heroes, and cherishment of peace, we are holding the seminar on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Among us, there are representatives closely connected to this history, including Mr. Mangesh Borkar, grandnephew of Dr. Kotnis from the Indian Medical Mission to China, and Mr. Indergit Singh, disciple of Dr. Basu. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my highest respect to the Indian friends who supported and helped the Chinese people in resisting aggression, as well as to all those who carry forward the spirit of the War of Resistance and continue to promote China-India friendship.
80 years ago, the Second World War, ignited by the forces of fascism and militarism, affected over 80 countries and regions and 2 billion people, resulted in devastating loss of life, and cast a shadow over human civilization. In that life-and-death struggle between justice and evil, light and darkness, progress and regression, righteous forces across the world, including China and India, fought shoulder to shoulder with unwavering courage and tremendous sacrifices, and ultimately achieved the great victory.
The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression started the earliest, lasted the longest, and pinned down the largest number of enemy troops. At the enormous cost of over 35 million military and civilian casualties, China made significant contributions to saving human civilization and safeguarding world peace. India deployed more than 2.5 million volunteer soldiers across the China-Burma-India theater, North Africa, and European battlefields, and continuously supplied strategic resources, thus serving as a solid pillar of the Allied Eastern Theater.
The Chinese people will never forget the unwavering support during those trying times. The Chinese Expeditionary Force received training and logistical support in India. Large numbers of Indian workers participated in building the Ledo Road, which broke Japan’s land blockade of China. Indian citizens held many "China Day" parades and rallies in solidarity with the Chinese people. The great poet Rabindranath Tagore raised his pen as a banner, and tirelessly voiced support for China and condemned Japanese imperialist aggression. He fervently wrote, “I pray that victory may be China’s for the cause of justice and humanity”. Likewise, Mahatma Gandhi stated, “my heart goes out to the people of China in deep sympathy and in admiration for their heroic struggle and endless sacrifices in the cause of their country's freedom and integrity against tremendous odds”.
The Chinese people will never forget the heroic assistance that traversed thousands of miles. In 1938, Indian Medical Mission, represented by Dr. Kotnis and Dr. Basu, went to China in support of its War of Resistance against aggression. Dr. Kotnis set up medical stations closest to the front lines, where he saved countless Chinese soldiers and civilians, trained numerous medical personnel, and, worn out by overwork, gave his life and rests forever on Chinese soil. Dr. Basu committed himself in Yan’an for 6 years, introduced acupuncture to India, and devoted the rest of his life to medical exchange and friendship between China and India. The Chinese nation is a grateful nation that values friendship. To this day, many Chinese people spontaneously visit Dr. Kotnis Memorial Hall to pay tribute to his contributions.
Dear friends,
History is a mirror, and the enlightenment it brings always reflects the present and illuminates the future. Last week, China solemnly held a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, aiming to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace, and create a better future. In his speech, President Xi Jinping pointed out that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, coexist in peace and support each other, can we uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war, and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies. President Xi emphasized that China will always be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world, and sincerely hope that all countries will draw wisdom from history, value peace, jointly advance world modernization and create a better future for humanity.
Currently, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, unilateralism and acts of bullying are on the rise, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Humanity once again faces a choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum game. As two ancient Eastern civilizations and major developing countries, China and India should demonstrate a global vision and responsibility as major powers, and make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace, promoting common development, and improving global governance. To this end,
First, we should carry forward the great friendship forged during the War of Resistance, and jointly pursue a path of peaceful coexistence between major neighboring countries. China and India share a history of resisting fascism and fighting for national independence and liberation. We jointly initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and now share a common vision for national rejuvenation. It should be the right choice for China and India to be good-neighborly friends and partners that help each other succeed, and have the dragon and the elephant dance together.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Over the past 75 years, China-India relations have experienced twists and turns, but friendly cooperation has always been the dominant theme. Over the past year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have met twice in Kazan and Tianjin, charting the right course for the improvement and development of bilateral relations. The two sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the two leaders. The two foreign ministers exchanged visits, and special representatives on the boundary question, defense ministers, and vice foreign minister/foreign secretary maintained frequent interactions. These efforts have contributed to the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. We should view and handle the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, and keep to the overarching direction of being each other’s cooperation partner instead of rival, and seeing each other as development opportunity instead of threat. We should uphold harmonious coexistence, further enhance bilateral relations through the Tianjin meeting, and explore the right way for neighboring major countries to coexist based on mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, common development, and win-win cooperation.
Second, we should uphold the spirit of unity forged during the War of Resistance, and jointly write a new chapter of modernization. History shows that just as the world united to defeat fascism 80 years ago, today we can also cooperate to overcome difficulties, resolve differences through dialogue, and achieve development through solidarity. China and India are both at a critical stage of national development and rejuvenation, and development is our greatest common denominator. We should devote our valuable resources to national development, providing mutual support, promoting mutual growth, and helping each other succeed.
China and India enjoy close economic and trade relations. Bilateral trade in goods has grown steadily, reaching 88 billion USD in the first 7 months of this year, with a year-on-year increase of 10.5%. China stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies and share experience in modernization with India. We welcome more Indian companies to promote their products and invest in China, and we also hope that India could provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. The foundation of the people-to-people friendship between the two countries is solid. Since the beginning of this year, Chinese diplomatic missions in India have issued over 240,000 visas to Indian citizens. Recently, China resumed Indian pilgrimages to Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yuco in Xizang Autonomous Region of China, and India resumed tourist visa issuance to Chinese citizens, both of which have been warmly received. Direct flights between our two countries are expected to be resumed shortly. We are ready to enhance exchanges with India across all sectors, including political parties, legislatures, think tanks, media, and youth, to further promote people-to-people bonds.
Third, we should safeguard the post-war international order, and jointly amplify the united voice of the Global South. The post-war international system, with the United Nations at its core, embodies the outcomes of the victory in World War II, and has played an irreplaceable role in advancing peace and development for humanity. Amid a complex and turbulent international landscape, China and India, as important members of the Global South, should work together to uphold international fairness and justice and promote global peace and prosperity.
Recently, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative at the “SCO Plus” Meeting, and called on all parties to adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions, so as to build a more just and equitable global governance system, jointly advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity. China stands ready to work with Global South countries, including India, to push forward the implementation of the GGI, promote a correct view of World War II history, practice true multilateralism, firmly oppose hegemony and power politics, and steadfastly uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. Together, we should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly oppose any form of tariff and trade wars, jointly uphold the multilateral trading system, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and contribute to the collective rise of the Global South.
Dear friends,
History cannot be changed, but the future can be shaped. Let us draw lessons from history, carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, promote China-India friendship and cooperation with a more proactive attitude, and build a community with a shared future for humanity with a more open mind, so that the torch of peace can be passed on from generation to generation, the driving force of development can be sustained, and the light of civilization can shine brightly.
Thank you and Dhanyavaad!
