The resilience, friendship, and international unity were themed at a grand evening gala commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday evening.
The evening gala, structured in five parts, centers on key historical junctures and moments that saw China as the main battlefield in the East during the World Anti-Fascist War.
Titled "Shared Dawn", the fourth chapter of the gala featured a dance "Riding the Wind", a three-song musical "Immortal Melodies" that consists of the classic Soviet song "The Path", the Canadian folk song "Red River Valley", and the theme song "Bella ciao" in the Yugoslav film "The Bridge", and a Chinese song "Medal for the Unknown". All evoked shared memories of World Anti-Fascist War.
The evening gala came after a grand gathering held at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing earlier in the day.
It highlighted the pivotal role of the Communist Party of China in the Chinese nation's resistance against Japanese aggression, paying tribute to revolutionary martyrs who fought bloody battles in the war, and demonstrating China's position of firmly safeguarding world peace and security.
Resilience, friendship, and unity honored at V-Day commemoration gala
Villages in Thailand's Sisaket Province, which borders Cambodia, are quiet and empty after residents were evacuated to shelters.
With permission from the Thai military, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter entered the border conflict zone on Sunday and saw bullet holes scattered across residential buildings, as well as deep craters left by rocket and artillery fire.
"Villagers had been evacuated to shelters, leaving only us security personnel in the area," said Thai army Lieutenant General Patchakorn.
He added that civilians are not yet able to return home, citing the unstable security situation and ongoing hostilities.
Artillery fire could still be heard at the scene throughout the day. Thai military officials said the explosions were caused by Thai artillery strikes targeting Cambodian positions.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that Thai forces have taken control of nearly all targeted areas and are now compelling Cambodian forces to withdraw, adding that the areas are being closely monitored to prevent any renewed clashes.
The latest round of Thailand-Cambodia conflict, which reignited since Dec 7, has resulted in the deaths of 34 Thai civilians, Thai Ministry of Defense spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told a press conference on Sunday.
The civilian death toll in Cambodia has risen to 19, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said on the same day.
Thai border villages emptied as fighting with Cambodia leaves homes scarred
