Descendants of international veterans who fought with the Chinese in China's fight against Japanese aggression have welcomed the upcoming grand commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, noting that the activities will remind people to cherish peace.
Jenny Clegg, Vice President of the Society for Anglo-China Understanding and daughter of Arthur Clegg, organizer of the China Campaign Committee, stressed that the activities will help foster international solidarity for peace.
The China Campaign Committee, founded in the 1930s, aimed to promote unity between Britain and China in the fight against Japanese aggression.
"I think it's an extremely significant moment in time and very meaningful to recall how people from all over the world came to support Chinese resistance, with a great deal of hope. My father's generation had a huge conviction that China would be victorious over Japan and that this would usher in a new era for the world. Obviously, history goes through all sorts of twists and turns, and I think that we are at a precarious moment once again in history. And it is so important now to recall the international solidarity, the international united efforts to bring about peace in the world. We must never lose that, and we must build on that, and we must carry that forward," she said.
Nell Chennault Calloway, Board Chairman of the Chennault Aviation Academy and granddaughter of General Claire Lee Chennault, founder of the Flying Tigers, has visited China numerous times to promote Sino-U.S. aviation cooperation and talent development, as well as to participate in activities that honor the spirit of the Flying Tigers.
"I was here for the 60th anniversary in 2005. I was here for the 70th anniversary in 2015. And now to be here for the 80th anniversary makes me just so appreciative that we haven't forgotten that time. Because it becomes more and more important that we remember that and that we pass it on to future generations. So that as everybody knows, if you don't remember the past, of course it repeats itself and we can't allow that to happen. Those people fought too hard for what we have today," said Calloway.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, were a group of American volunteer pilots. They came to China during World War II (WWII) to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people to fight the invading Japanese troops.
Warren Bethune, descendant of the Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune and president of the Toronto Canada-China Friendship Association, emphasized that this year's commemorative activities will honor history and celebrate the spirit of internationalism.
Norman Bethune is well-known in China for having led a Canadian medical team to China in early 1938 to help the Chinese people fight Japanese invasion troops during WWII. He sacrificed his life in Nov 1939.
He is also celebrated for bringing modern medicine to China as well as treating sick villagers and wounded soldiers. His selfless commitment made a profound impression on the Chinese people, who hold events every year to memorialize him.
"I would concentrate on the younger people and make it part of China's contributions to World War II. Because at the 80th anniversary, there's very few people who actually were in the World War II that are living now. And so we have to share research, develop research, and then share with people," said Warren Bethune.
The great-granddaughters of General Joseph Stilwell also expressed great anticipation for the upcoming celebrations.
During WWII, General Joseph Stilwell served as commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces in the China-Burma-India Theater and provided great support to the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese aggression.
"Our great-grandfather was General Stilwell and so we understand the wonderful relationships that he built so long ago. And we're hoping to continue that tradition with this upcoming trip. And we are very much looking forward to the parade and all of the celebrations in China, and expect it will be as many other celebrations in China -- very precise and spectacular," said Nancy Millward.
"Very excited to be invited. It's a great honor and we are really looking forward to seeing the celebration. I think it's always important to celebrate and honor the past and the sacrifices and the accomplishments that they have been making," said Susan Cole, another great-granddaughter of General Stilwell.
The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) was the first to break out and lasted the longest in the World Anti-Fascist War. In 14 years, 35 million Chinese were killed or wounded. Japan officially surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender.
In 2014, China's national legislature designated Sept. 3 as Victory Day of its War of Resistance. A year later, the country held its first-ever large-scale parade in Tian'anmen Square to mark the occasion. As part of the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, China will stage a massive military parade on Wednesday in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
Descendants of int'l veterans in China's fight against Japanese aggression welcome V-Day commemorations
