Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon!

Warm welcome to our friends.

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. It is also the 80th anniversary of  the founding of the United Nations and the restoration of Taiwan to its motherland China which were both important components of the victory of World War II and the post-war international order. 

At this important historic juncture, the Chinese Embassy in Botswana hosts a thematic film event today for our Botswana friends and Chinese Communities here to remember history, honor the fallen heroes, cherish peace,  and inspire the future.

World War II was an unprecedented catastrophe in human history. The flames of war spread across five continents, drawing in more than 80 countries and regions and inflicting immense disasters upon human civilization.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a crucial component of the World Anti-Fascist War, and China served as the main eastern theater of World War II. Facing the barbaric aggression of Japanese militarism and an unparalleled national crisis, the Chinese people waged an arduous and bitter struggle against the Japanese invaders, defeated the utterly vicious Japanese militarist aggressors, and achieved the great victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

This victory brought huge change to China and also made an indelible contribution to world peace and development.

At the darkest hours of the Second World War, China and other peace and justice-loving nations fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression. The film you are going to watch today, is named "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" . This movie is based on a true event from WWII and commemorates the great, dauntless spirit of the people of all nations during the war. To watch this film and revisit this moving story, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, holds a particularly special and important significance.

Africa was a key battleground and reliable overseas base for anti-Fascist allies during WWII. About 1.5 million people from over 30 African countries joined the front lines, and approximately 2.5 million Africans supported logistics, supply and military engineering missions. In the fight for national liberation and independence of Southern Africa, the Chinese and African peoples supported each other through thick and thin and forged unbreakable friendship.

Dear friends,China and Botswana are both countries that cherish peace. We jointly uphold multilateralism and advocate for a sound international order, while consistently opposing unilateralism and hegemonic actions. We share a common vision for maintaining world peace and promoting shared development. In today's turbulent world, we shall more than ever remember history, uphold friendship, and jointly defend the achievements of World War II, uphold the international system centered around the United Nations, and work together to promote world peace, stability, and cooperative development.

That's my words. May everyone enjoy the movie and make this event a great success!

Thank you! Ke a leboga, Pula.