The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War, reaffirming commitment to peace and multilateralism.
At a symposium on Thursday in Abuja, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the anniversary as a solemn reminder of shared sacrifices and a renewed call for global unity and cooperation.
“This anniversary is not just a reflection on history, but a reminder of values like courage, unity, and perseverance.
“We are not here to dwell on hatred, but to honour sacrifices and pledge that such tragedies will never happen again,” he added, emphasising historical reflection and forward-looking dialogue.
Yu recalled the Sept. 18, 1931 Incident that triggered China’s 14-year resistance, lauding the resilience of the Chinese people and the Communist Party’s leadership throughout the anti-Japanese struggle.
He paid tribute to Nigerian soldiers who fought in Burma during the war, stressing that China and Africa shared a common legacy of sacrifice in the global anti-fascist movement.
Yu reaffirmed China’s peace-driven approach and highlighted President Xi Jinping’s vision of “a community with a shared future for mankind” as a blueprint for lasting global stability and prosperity.
He cited China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative as contributions to international cooperation and mutual progress.
“China will never forget how hard it was to achieve peace.
“That’s why we support partnerships that reject hegemony and promote win-win cooperation,” Yu told participants at the symposium.
Yu also stated that Taiwan’s return to China was a post-war outcome, describing national reunification as a historic inevitability aligned with international law and the legacy of WWII.
He lauded Nigeria’s consistent support of the One-China principle, calling it a cornerstone of the deepening strategic partnership between China and Nigeria over recent decades.
Yu said both nations, as members of the Global South, must defend WWII outcomes, uphold the UN-based global order, and collaborate for justice, fairness, and sustainable development.
Also speaking, Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), gave a historical overview, referencing the 1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident as the war’s escalation point.
Onunaiju highlighted the significance of China’s prolonged resistance, which tied down nearly one million Japanese soldiers, demonstrating national resilience in spite of enduring overwhelming losses and unimaginable hardship.
He said this resistance laid the foundation for China’s modern political structure, citing the “Three Thirds System” as a key component in developing China’s inclusive and consultative democratic model.
China’s wartime experience, he added, strengthened its peace philosophy, embodied in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which still guided China’s approach to global diplomacy and foreign affairs till date.
Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, called the war’s victory “a lesson for humanity, a story of hope, resilience, and collective patriotism.”
He outlined six global lessons: reject colonialism, embrace patriotism, promote unity, resist tyranny, foster international cooperation, and understand that true victory comes only through determination and endurance.
Ibrahim urged global leaders to embrace multilateralism and trust-building, warning that international cooperation remained the most effective shield against future aggression and threats to peace.
“The Chinese people’s historic resistance made them a symbol of national pride and perseverance. The world must emulate this resolve and pursue peace rooted in justice and unity,” he said.
NAN reports that the symposium featured a photo exhibition chronicling key wartime events and paying tribute to fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice defending their countries.
