On 3rd September, H.E. Mr. Liu Weimin, Chinese Ambassador to Tonga published an article named “Remember History, Build a Bright Future of Peace and Development for Humanity” in Tongan media outlet “Tonga Independent”, 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, promote China’s significant contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War as the main Eastern battlefield of World War II, and articulate China’s commitment to working alongside Tonga and all peace-loving countries, advocating humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, so as to build a safer, more prosperous, and brighter world for future generations. The full article 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. Eighty years ago, through arduous and unyielding struggles, the people of the world finally consigned fascist tyranny to the grave of history, securing the very survival of human civilization. This history, forged in blood and lives, is a collective memory of all humanity and a spiritual beacon guiding us, and illuminating our path to peace. We look back on history not merely to remember it, but more importantly to draw strength from it to safeguard peace and shape the future.

We must never forget that the Chinese nation, built a Great Wall of steel with its flesh and blood against aggression, made enormous sacrifices and extraordinary contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

As the main Eastern battlefield of World War II, China sustained and propped up the struggle in the World Anti-Fascist War. China was the first to suffer fascist aggression and waged the longest resistance. From Japan’s deliberate provocation of the September 18 Incident in 1931 to its surrender in 1945, the Chinese people had endured the blood and fire for 14 years, never succumbed to the invaders’ iron heels, and suffered over 35 million military and civilians casualties, with economic losses exceeding 600 billion U.S. dollars. It was precisely the Communist Party of China, acting as the backbone of China, that facilitated the formation of Chinese united front against Japanese aggression, rallied the spiritual banner of resistance against Japanese aggression by the whole nation, and provided the correct direction and core strength for victory in the war. It was precisely the indomitable resistance of the Chinese people that shattered Japan’s illusion of "subjugating China in three months," halted its aggressive advance northward toward the Soviet Union and southward into Southeast Asia, and bought valuable strategic time for the U.S. and UK to prepare their counteroffensive in the Pacific Theater. Looking back on those arduous years, China has always stood in solidarity with the world anti-fascist forces, composing a heroic epic of fighting for the survival and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the justice for all humanity.

We must never forget that Tonga and other Pacific Island Countries, with remarkable courage and steadfastness, made indispensable contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

Across the vast Pacific, the fortitude and commitment demonstrated by Tonga and other Pacific Island Countries during the war are truly admirable. After the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941, a number of Pacific Island Countries suffered under the brutal occupation of the Japanese forces, which nearly advanced to Australia’s very doorstep. Faced with the critical situation, Tonga resolutely joined the Anti-Fascist Alliance. Under the leadership of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Tongan forces participated in the War with NZ forces and the US Marines. In 1943, 50 Tongan soldiers were detached to the Solomon Islands to take direct part in operations against Japanese forces. During the New Georgia campaign, Second Lieutenant Heneli Taliai, though vastly outnumbered, vowed never to retreat. He raided the Japanese camp and made the ultimate sacrifice with his life. To this day, his name represents for courage, strength, and vitality. In honor of his sacrifice, the Taliai Military Camp in Tongatapu is named after him. The people of Tonga also facilitated the deployment of US and New Zealand forces on their own soil, provided essential supplies to passing vessels, building a vital "lifeline station" in the South Pacific, resisting aggression and guarding homeland in their own way. Though separated by vast oceans, China and Tonga both made significant contributions to the cause of world peace and justice during the Anti-Fascist War. This memory, which reflects our shared commitment and dedication, has become a precious spiritual treasure for our two countries and peoples. Moreover, countless moving and heroic stories are still cherished in places like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. With resilience and sacrifice, Pacific Island Countries forged enduring feats in the Pacific Theater, which will forever be inscribed in the annals of history.

We must never forget that the postwar international order was hard-won, and must be safeguarded with the utmost resolve.

World War II was one of the most catastrophic wars in human history, which rewrote the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century and ushered in the international order with the United Nations as its core. Eighty years ago, with the founding of United Nations, as a victorious nation, China was among the first to sign the UN Charter, championed national self-determination and anti-colonialism, playing a key role in advocating for the sovereign equality of all nations enshrined in the UN Charter, thereby making significant contribution to shaping the postwar international order. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan, an integral part of the outcomes of the victory of World War II and the postwar international order. 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. 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”. Consequently, challenging the one-China principle means defying the U.N.’s authority, challenging the norms governing international relations, undermining the postwar international order, and denying WWII’s victorious outcome. Although cross-Strait relations remain severe and complex, some countries attempt to play the Taiwan card to serve their political agenda and trumpet the notion that Taiwan’s status is undetermined, China will never accept and has no room for compromise or concession. Any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist behaviour constitutes a betrayal of history, a violation of international law, and will inevitably be firmly opposed and rejected by all the Chinese people. The historical trend toward China’s ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable. China is willing to work together with the international community, including Tonga, to defend the authority of the U.N., firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and promote a more just and equitable international order.

We must never forget that peace and development are the common cause of all humanity, which requires all countries to preserve it and shape the future.

We commemorate history not to perpetuate hatred, but to learn from it and to recognize that peace and stability must never be taken for granted. As Chinese President Xi Jinping said, We must draw wisdom and strength from the great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, resolutely resist all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and work together to build a brighter future for humanity. The world today is far from tranquil, with resurfacing hegemonism and power politics as well as resurging unilateralism and protectionism. China firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes remain the only right choice, China's development represents the growth of the force for world peace. The Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration embodies a Pacific vision to advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity, reflecting the wisdom and foresight of the Pacific Island Countries. Humanity is a community with a shared future and it is also an indivisible community of shared security. No country should pursue its own security at the expense of others, and the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously. In this context, China is committed to safeguarding world peace, contributing to global development, and upholding international order. China steadfastly stands on the side of international fairness and justice, the right side of history, and the side of the vast number of developing countries. China consistently acts as a trustworthy and reliable partner for Global South countries, advances the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Just as the Pacific’s vastness comes from embracing all rivers without rejecting small streams, humanity’s future depends on unity through hardships, not on division and confrontation. Standing at a new crossroads, we shall all the more cherish the fragile peace, uphold the common values of humanity, safeguard our only home, and strive together to create a more promising future.

The trials and tribulations of the past eight decades can not diminish the profound friendship forged between the Chinese people and peoples across the world during the World Anti-Fascist War. History serves both as the best textbook and dose of sobriety. We must learn from history, pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation, sustain development and make civilization flourish. China is committed to working alongside Tonga and all peace-loving countries to hold high the banner of win-win cooperation, so as to build a safer, more prosperous, and brighter world for our future generations!