Lahore - Chinese Consulate Acting Consul General (ACG) in Lahore, Cao Ke, stated that 80 years ago, over a span of 14 years, the Chinese people waged an indomitable struggle against Japanese militarism during the Second World War, sacrificing more than 35 million soldiers and civilians.
China’s heroic resistance broke the backbone of the Axis powers in the East and accounted for 70 percent of Japan’s total casualties in the war.
He made these remarks at a seminar titled “The 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the Restoration of Taiwan,” organized by the Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR) at a local hotel.
The seminar was chaired by IIRMR Chairman Muhamad Mehdi, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Monday.
“China’s resistance, the first to break out and the last to conclude profoundly altered the course of the Second World War.
The Chinese people ultimately secured a great victory in this unprecedented struggle, restored Taiwan from Japanese colonial occupation, and proclaimed the complete triumph of the World Anti-Fascist War.
The light of peace once again illuminated the land,” Cao noted.
He emphasized that China was the main Eastern battlefield of WWII. “China’s perseverance rewrote the timeline of the war and made decisive contributions to the global victory against fascism.
As early as 1931, China suffered an unprovoked invasion by the Japanese Army. This marked not only the beginning of China’s War of Resistance, but also the opening chapter of the World Anti-Fascist War.
At a time when Europe was still wavering over appeasement, the Chinese people stood firm, demonstrating unyielding resolve against a formidable enemy.
Despite atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre of 1937 and the relentless bombing of Chongqing, China never capitulated.
By holding the line, the Chinese people shattered Japan’s ambition of conquering China in three months and bought precious time for the Allied powers.”
He stressed that the restoration of Taiwan was a historic victory of WWII and an integral part of the post-war international order. “Taiwan has always been part of China. Its status has never changed and will never be allowed to change. Historical facts cannot be denied.
Eighty years ago, the founding of the United Nations became the cornerstone of the post-war international system. As a victorious country, China was among the first to sign the UN Charter.
Taiwan’s return to China was an important outcome of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and a vital component of the post-war international order,” he said.
On the Taiwan issue, Cao reiterated that the facts are crystal-clear. “In the late 19th century, Japan seized Taiwan through a war of aggression.
The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, both legally binding under international law, clearly stipulated that Taiwan stolen by Japan must be returned to China. These provisions have affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and form an integral part of the post-war international order.”
Turning to current challenges, he said: “Today, it is imperative for the international community to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, to uphold fairness and justice, and to oppose all forms of hegemonism, power politics and bullying. China, as a peace-loving country, remains committed to promoting fairness, justice, development and progress for all humanity.
China is ready to work with the international community to build a community with a shared future for mankind and to advance the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.”
Highlighting China-Pakistan relations, Cao said: “China and Pakistan, as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, as important members of the Global South and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, have always upheld mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual support in international and regional affairs.
Together, we must safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, defend the international order based on international law, and firmly uphold our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”