On August 24 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana H.E. Mr. Fan Yong published an article titled Remembering History, Creating a Better Future in the local newspaper the Patriot on Sunday, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. . The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The catastrophic war in human history rewrote the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century, and ushered in the international order with the United Nations at its core. During WWII, China was the first country to launch resistance in the East and, more importantly, stood as a pillar in the main Eastern theater. Today, facing increasingly complex geopolitical conflicts and global challenges, China remains an important force for defending post-war international order, working with all peace-loving countries in the world to jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity and create a bright future for mankind.

I. Fourteen Years of Heroic War Against Aggression: China, a Founder of Post-War Order

From the screams and cries in 1931 to the bugle of victory in 1945, the 14-year-long War of Resistance was an epic chapter that the Chinese people wrote with their lives. Under ferocious aggression, China suffered 35 million military and non-military casualties. The number testifies to China’s solemn pledge: seeking justice for humanity. Thanks to this strategic contribution, China proudly became a founder of the United Nations, a signatory to the U.N. Charter, and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

Historical truth cannot be obliterated. An integral part of the fruits of the victory of WWII and the postwar international order was Taiwan’s return to China. The facts on the Taiwan question are crystal-clear. In the late 19th century, Japan forcibly seized Taiwan through war of aggression. For 50 years, the Taiwanese people never ceased resisting Japanese occupation. The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation explicitly mandated that Taiwan, which Japan has stolen, be returned to China. These instruments with legal effect under international law have all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and become part of the postwar international order. Consequently, challenging the one-China principle means defying the U.N.’s authority and undermining the postwar order. The Resolution 2758, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1971, unequivocally recognizes the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Since then, the only reference to the Taiwan region in the U.N. is “Taiwan, Province of China.”

We still remember that at the 26th United Nations General Assembly in 1971, despite the fact that China and Botswana had not yet established diplomatic relations at the time, Botswana still firmly voted in support of restoring the People's Republic of China's legitimate seat in the United Nations, and the Chinese people have always remembered this. Botswana has always firmly upheld the one China principle and supported China in achieving national reunification. The two sides have shown mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Today, 183 countries including Botswana—representing the overwhelming majority of U.N. member states—have established diplomatic ties with China based on the one-China principle as the political foundation. This reflects that the one-China principle is the global consensus and prevailing trend of our times. Taiwan will inevitably return to the embrace of its motherland.

II. For Peace and Development: China, Defender of the International Order

History throws lights on the present and provides inspiration for the future. Having fought valiantly in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese people cherish peace profoundly. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, first proposed by China in the 1950s, has become a basic norm universally recognized by the international community. China’s development strengthens the force for global peace. As the only permanent member of the U.N. Security Council still seeking full reunification, China will harm no country’s legitimate rights and interests in this process. It will only create more development opportunities for all countries and add more positive energy to world prosperity and stability.

Contributing more peacekeepers than any other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China is acclaimed as a key factor and a vital force in peacekeeping efforts. In recent years, China has made relentless efforts for peace by actively mediating hotspot issues in Africa. China supports the right of African countries and the AU in playing a leading role in the region’s peace and security affairs. China supports African efforts in enhancing its capacity for peacekeeping, stability maintenance, and counter-terrorism. Based on the principles of respecting the will of African countries, not interfering in African countries’ internal affairs, and observing the basic norms governing international relations, China actively explores constructive engagement in peace and security affairs in Africa.

The Belt and Road Initiative, with over 150 partners cooperating in such key fields as infrastructure, energy and digital economy, has provided strong impetus for the development of the Global South countries. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has continuously deepened and broadened, yielding fruitful results, setting a fine example for South-South cooperation, and delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of China and Africa. In areas concerning humanity’s well-being such as climate change solutions and digital transformation, China has provided large amounts of international public goods by sharing its products, technologies and governance experience. In today’s world, with rising anti-globalization sentiment and growing noises of “decoupling”, some are erecting walls and some are building bridges. With its consistent pursuit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit, China has shown to all fellow nations striving for modernization that it aims to seek progress for humanity.

III. Proposing a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity: China, Pacesetter in Promoting New Development of International Order

As changes unseen in a century unfold in the world, developing countries as a whole are enhancing competitive advantage. The current international mechanisms fall short of the needs of global governance due to the lack of viable institutions, forward-looking visions and effective approaches. As such, a new vision on international order is eagerly called upon.

China has proposed the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. It believes that a multipolar world needs to be equal and orderly, economic globalization should be universally beneficial and inclusive, and true multilateralism must be safeguarded. World affairs should be handled through extensive consultation, not dictated by those with more muscles. Standing at a new crossroads, humanity needs not the law of the jungle, but a shared future; not bullying and hegemony, but win-win cooperation; not overturning the postwar international order, but safeguarding the fruits of the victory of World Anti-Fascist War. Only in this way can we prevent the tragic history from repeating itself, consolidate the foundation of peace and development, and realize the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Remembering history is to create a better future. China, having emerged from the flames of war, remains steadfast in upholding fairness, justice, development and progress for humanity. As defenders of multilateralism and advocates for international cooperation, Botswana and China jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonic acts, and share common visions in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China is willing to work with the peace-loving people of all countries, including Botswana, to remain committed to the original aspiration of peace and friendship, jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II, embrace a bright future for humanity, and make new and greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for mankind