President,

China welcomes the convening of this special meeting by the General Assembly. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, we deeply mourn the innocent victims of the war and pay our highest tribute to the heroes who dedicated their precious lives to the victory of the war and to the cause of peace, civilization, and progress for all humanity.

80 years ago, people of the world, through bloody and arduous struggles, completely defeated fascism, achieving a monumental victory where justice triumphed over evil, light over darkness, and the progressive over the reactionary. As the primary eastern theater of the war, China endured enormous casualties exceeding 35 million. By holding back the main forces of Japanese militarism, China not only secured its own survival and national salvation, but also provided strong support to the resistant forces in Europe and the Pacific, making an indelible contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

President,

The victory of WWII ushered in a new era of peace and development. 80 years later, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, with unilateralism on the rise and bullying running rampant. We must seize the opportunity presented by the 80th anniversary of the victory of WWII to learn from history, reaffirm our original aspirations and commitments, shoulder the responsibilities of our time, and forge a bright future.

First, we must jointly promote a correct understanding of the history of WWII. Remembering history is not to perpetrate hatred, but to better cherish the present and shape the future. Only with a correct understanding of history, can we fulfill the noble ideal enshrined in the UN Charter, “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. Any scheme or action seeking to downplay, deny, or distort the history of WWII and any rhetoric that glorifies wars of aggression and colonial rule tantamount to a mockery of history and an affront to human conscience, and will surely lose the trust of the global community.

Second, we must jointly safeguard the victory of WWII. In the aftermath of its immense catastrophe, the international community joined hands to establish the United Nations and formulate the UN Charter, laying the cornerstone of the modern international order and the basic norms governing international relations. Concepts such as sovereign equality, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes have gradually taken root in the hearts of the people. We must firmly uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the rules-based multilateral trading system, and unequivocally say no to all forms of power politics and bullying.

Third, we must jointly uphold the authority and status of the United Nations. The UN has been instrumental in maintaining world peace and promoting common development. That said, the UN needs to keep pace with the times through continuous reform and improvement. The more volatile the global landscape, the greater the need for international solidarity to support the UN’s central role in international affairs. Certain countries treat the UN as something they can use when it suits them and discard when it doesn’t. They willfully withdraw from agreements and organizations, default on contribution payments, and cut funding in an attempt to place their narrow interests over the collective global good. Such practices are deeply unpopular and are ultimately doomed to failure.

President,

History may have its twists and turns, but it always moves forward. Carrying on the torch, defending peace, and staying on the right course is the best tribute to those who have fallen for our cause. China stands ready to work with all member states to practice true multilateralism, cement the foundation of world peace and development, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you, President.