Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for attending today's seminar in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and of the World Anti-Fascist War.

Eighty years ago, the dark shadow of fascism descended upon the world, plunging human civilization into an unprecedented catastrophe. The peoples of China, Australia, and over 50 other countries formed a universal Anti-Fascist and Anti-Militarism United Front, defending world peace and human dignity with their blood and lives. Together, they achieved a monumental victory where justice triumphed over evil, and freedom overcame enslavement.

Eighty years ago, under the banner of the Chinese united front against Japanese aggression, initiated and led by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people having fought tenaciously for 14 years, won the great victory of their War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As the primary eastern theater of the war, China endured enormous casualties exceeding 35 million, making an indelible contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. This great victory will go down in the history of the Chinese nation as well as in the history of humanity's fight for justice.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance also won broad support from the international community, including Australia. The Chinese people will never forget the invaluable help extended by the peoples of the world.

History, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future. Today, as we join friends from all sectors in commemorating this great victory, our purpose is to bear history in mind, honor all those who laid down their lives, cherish peace, and open up the future. To commemorate this great victory is to defend the post-war international order founded on historical justice, to safeguard the precious peace bought with countless lives, and to carry forward the friendships among peoples forged in fire and blood.

This victory is a victory of justice. The post-war international system with the UN at its core is the concentrated embodiment of the outcomes of the WWII victory. The opening articles of the UN Charter prioritize maintaining international peace and security, while also establishing principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, which have become cornerstones of the modern international order. Eighty years later today, however, unilateralism, hegemonism, bullying, and coercive practices are severely undermining our world. Again humankind has come to the crossroad of unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum games. The more turbulent and complex the international situation becomes, the more we must uphold and defend the authority of the UN, firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and work for a more just and equitable international order.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. Taiwan's restoration to China is a victorious outcome of WWII and an integral part of the post-war international order. A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, have all affirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan. The historical and legal fact therein brooks no challenge. And the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no challenge. No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend toward China's ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable.

This victory is a victory of peace. Those who have endured the ravages of war understand most deeply the value of peace. The best way to honor the heroes who gave their lives to uphold freedom, justice and peace, and mourn the loss of innocent lives brutally taken during the war is to make sure that this historical tragedy will never repeat itself. Since modern times, the Chinese people have suffered over a century of invasion, humiliation, and plunder by foreign powers. China will always remain committed to the path of peaceful development, China will never impose on others the tragedies it once endured. The growth of China's overall strength and defense capabilities will always contribute to the force for peace in the world. China will, as always, remain a builder, contributor, and defender of world peace, stability, and prosperity. We will work hand in hand with all countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity, and advance the humanity's lofty cause of peace and development. At the same time, the Chinese people regard the safeguarding of peace and opposition to hegemonism and power politics as their solemn duty. We firmly oppose resolving international disputes through the use or threat of force, and strongly reject interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of so-called democracy, freedom, or human rights.

This victory is a victory of people. The history of the victory in World War II is also a history of solidarity and friendship among the peoples of the world, who stood by each other and marched forward shoulder to shoulder. During the years of war, international friends such as Mr. Lindsay's father, Michael Lindsay, traveled across great distances to join the just cause of the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese aggression. The spirit of internationalism they demonstrated is still honored and remembered today. Stories such as the 1937 Silksworth Incident and the 1938 Dalfram Incident have become vivid symbols of the longstanding friendship between the Chinese and Australian peoples. The steel Grate Wall built by the Chinese people on the battlefield tied down large numbers of Japanese troops, and easing the pressure on Australia. The crucial role of China's resistance in the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War is widely and publicly acknowledged

Across the smoke and ashes of history, the friendship between our two peoples has endured and grown, ever renewed with vitality. As President Xi Jinping pointed out during his meeting with Prime Minister Albanese, the hearts of our two peoples are connected, and our friendship is sincere. This year marks not only the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, but also the beginning of the second decade of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Standing at a new historical starting point, guided by the important consensus reached by our leaders, we must firmly defend the outcomes of victory in WWII, jointly safeguard fairness, justice, and the international order, inject more stability and certainty into the world, and advance China-Australia relations to new heights, bringing greater benefits to the two peoples.

I look forward to hearing the valuable insights of our distinguished guests. May today's discussion provide inspiration and reflection.

Thank you.