Chinese embassy in South Sudan marks 80th victory anniversary against Japanese aggression

By Denis Ejulu

The Chinese embassy in South Sudan on Friday commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, also known as the War of Resistance to Japan and the world anti-fascist war.

  The event at the Chinese cultural center in the University of Juba was celebrated with the screening of the Chinese movie “hundred regiment campaign”, which depicts the battle success by the Eighth Route Army, led by the Chinese Communist Party, against the Japanese invasion in North China from August 20, 1940, to January 24, 1941.

   Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan said that 80 years ago, the shadow of fascism loomed over the world, and war spread across the world even to North Africa, adding that China deeply cherishes the value of peace and understands that development gains do not come easily.

“While most countries mark the anti-fascist war as known as the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, China’s fight began earlier. The September 18th incident in 1931 marks the starting point of China’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression,” Ma said in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

Ma noted that China fought bitterly for 14 years in the main battlefield of the Eastern theatre, suffering over 35 million casualties to secure victory, making indelible contributions to the World anti-fascist war.

“We must learn from history and embrace future through jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind,” Ma said.

He also emphasized that this year, marks not only the 14th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Sudan, but also the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the World anti-fascist war, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.

“Today, transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world, hegemonism and unilateralism persist. For 80 years, China has steadfastly upheld international order, pursued peaceful development, and upheld the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In the future, China will continue safeguarding the international system centered on the UN with South Sudan, firmly support each other’s core interests, and jointly oppose power politics and bullying,” Ma said.

  Robert Mayom Kuoirot Deng, vice chancellor of the University of Juba, said that unity among the Chinese people played a key role in the success of their resistance against Japanese aggression, adding that South Sudanese should learn from this.

  “The movie has taught us a few things that for you to get freedom, you must be united, and that is how the Chinese were able to defeat an army of Japan which was so powerful at that time. So unity is important, war is good because it teaches us that certain things must not be done,” Mayom said.

  He also commended the Chinese embassy for filming the movie at the main university campus, which was attended by students and academics.

  “We have had a very strong relationship with the Chinese embassy, they have been providing us with a lot of things and so this is a series of some of the collaborations with them, and we really appreciate the fact that they were able to bring this film for screening on the campus,” Mayom noted.

  Alaboch Mayuek Mel, 29, a student of English and Literature in the school of education at the University of Juba, emphasized that South Sudanese should emulate their Chinese counterparts if they are to achieve unity and sustainable peace and stability.

  “I believe that China had suffered a lot in the hands of the Japanese invaders and they withstood the danger until they defeated their enemies in the war, and this is what we want to take. In regard to South Sudanese, we have faced a lot of difficulties especially the economic hardship and the internal war, which need to be faced with courage by making sure that we South Sudanese are taught the spirit of courage, spirit of discipline and respect and solidarity to withstand the dangers of tribalism that divides us,” Mel said.