Descendants of international veterans who supported the Chinese people during the war of resistance against Japanese aggression emphasized the importance of valuing hard-won peace, ahead of Wednesday's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The grand event, which will include a military parade, is set to take place at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
Jenny Clegg, Vice President of the Society for Anglo-China Understanding and daughter of Arthur Clegg, organizer of the China Campaign Committee, said the upcoming commemoration reminds people the importance of learning from history.
The China Campaign Committee, founded in the 1930s, aimed to promote unity between Britain and China in the fight against Japanese aggression.
"I think that looking at the 80th anniversary, it's an opportunity to focus on a period of major change. And I think that there are so many lessons to be learned from that, how the international cooperation and international solidarity and the way that people fought shoulder to shoulder, the British and the Chinese, the Americans and the Chinese," said Jenny.
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 bilateral aviation cooperation and talent development, as well as to participate in activities that honor the spirit of the Flying Tigers.
The Flying Tigers was formed in 1941 by General Claire Lee Chennault to help China in its fight against invading Japanese forces.
"I don't think we can ever take [peace] for granted. I was here for the 60th anniversary 20 years ago, here for the 70 of 10 years ago. But every time we experience an anniversary, it's an appreciation that we've gone 80 years without another World War," Calloway said.
Mangesh Rajan Borkar, grandnephew of Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, who left his family to aid China during its struggle against Japanese aggression, emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for peace.
Amidst the chaos of war, Kotnis saved many lives of Chinese civilians and soldiers and helped train batches of medical personnel, until he succumbed to illness from overwork at the young age of 32.
"I'm really looking forward to the military parade on [Sept.] 3rd. One of the main reasons that I'm looking forward to it is that it will commemorate the historic war against the Japanese aggression. It will be passing tributes to various martyrs of the war, including Dr. Kotnis, Dr. Bethune, who sacrificed their lives, and other unsung war soldiers," said Borkar.
Descendants of int'l veterans who supported China during wartime emphasize value of peace
