On August 28th, Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Cai Weiming published an article titled “Safeguarding the Peace by Memorizing History” on Solomon Star and Island Sun newspapers, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in 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 Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We commemorate this victory, thus to bear that part of history in mind, honor all those who sacrificed their lives, cherish the hard-earned peace, and work together toward a brighter future.

On September 18th, 1931, Japanese fascists instigated its aggression to the northeast of China. In response, the Chinese people rose in determined resistance, launching the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and unveiling the World Anti-Fascist War. On July 7th, 1937, Japan started the all-out war of aggression against China by orchestrating the Lu Gou Bridge Incident. At that critical juncture, the Communist Party of China stepped forward and became the key pillar for Chinese People’s War of Resistance by leading the formation of the Chinese united front of the whole nation, and contributing most to the main east battlefield of World Anti-Fascist War.

This war is the Chinese people’s longest and largest fight, which came with the greatest sacrifice. Over the 14 years from 1931 to 1945, China suffered more than 35 million military and civilian casualties. Chinese forces contained and pinned down the main forces of Japanese militarism, effectively supported Allied operations in both the European and Pacific theaters, and made an indelible and historic contribution to the ultimate victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

The victory of the World Anti-Fascist War was a great victory achieved by the people of all countries fighting side by side. Like China, Solomon Islands was also an important battleground during this war. We all fought dauntlessly in our battlefields, supported each other strategically, and jointly made historical contributions to the victory of that war, thus promoting the great transformation of the world order.

The victory of the Second World War hit hard the old era’s international system characterized by the scrambling of big powers for supremacy, shook the foundations of world colonialism, inspired the struggle of peoples from colonies and dependencies to strive for national independence and liberation, thus laying a solid foundation for countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including China and Solomon Islands to gain national independence and liberation. As the result, the Global South step onto the world stage with an independent and self-determination stance.

The victory of the Second World War saved human civilization and prevented a regression of history. The power of justice, enlightenment and progress ultimately defeated evil, darkness and reactionary, pulling humanity back to the normal track of civilization’s progress. It also promoted the spiritual awakening of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including China and Solomon Islands, producing lasting influence to the worldwide civilization progress.

The victory of the Second World War fostered the establishment of United Nations, and promoted the formulation of the UN charter and other fundamental principles of international relations, established the basic norms of postwar international relations. The victory started the establishment of the multilateral international order with the UN at its core and the collective security system centered on the UN security council, all of which are playing crucial roles in promoting global peace and development.

The victory was hard-won, and the fruits of victory need to be cherished and safeguarded. 80 years later, we are facing a world of rampant unilateralism and bullying. However, we believe the wheel of history will roll on, any attempt to revive hegemonism and drag the world back into a primitive state is doomed to fail. At this critical moment, it is imperative for us to draw lessons from the history and jointly create a brighter and shared future for humanity.

We should firmly uphold the postwar international order, to be the guardians of historical truth and fact. We should fight against any distortion or denial of the history and legacy of World War II. We should firmly defend the international system with UN at its core, the international order based on international law and the basic norms governing international relations enriched in the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, continuously promoting an equal and orderly multi-polar world, as well as an economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all.

Taiwan’s return to China is an important part of the fruits of victory of World War II and the postwar international order, which was affirmed by a series of documents with international legitimacy including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. To defend the achievements of victory of World War II and postwar international order, we should uphold the one-China principle and oppose to “Taiwan Independence”. China highly appreciates Solomon Islands Government’s firm stance on upholding the one-China principle, and is willing to work with SI to safeguard the international fairness and historical justice.

We should follow the time’s trend for peace and development, to be the fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization. Our suffering history in modern times has taught us a lesson, i.e., backwardness makes a country vulnerable to attack, and it is essential to put more focus on development. As members of the Global South, China and Solomon Islands both have the historical task of promoting national development and modernization, China is willing to work with Solomon Islands to deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development in the new era, to help each other’s development, support each other on the path of modernization and rejuvenation

We should firmly fight against hegemonism and power politics of all forms, to be the defenders of international fairness and justice. To address the widening global deficits in peace, development, security and governance, China proposed to build a community with a shared future for humanity and put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which attracted vast support and warm response from Solomon Islands and many other countries.

Guiding by President Xi Jinping’s “four full respects” principle, China is willing to work together with Pacific Island Countries to firmly uphold international fairness and justice, promote each other’s development, and build a closer China-Pacific community with a shared future.

As a Chinese saying goes, history, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future. Let us join hands to safeguard the justice of history and work for a bright future of lasting peace and shared prosperity.