On September 2nd, the Chinese Embassy in the UK hosted a roundtable marking the 65th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory against Japanese aggression. Thirty people, including Mr. Lunn, a British WWII veteran, Mr. Norman Hoare, Headmaster of St. George's V. A. School, Mr. Qiu Baixi, President of Birmingham Overseas Chinese Association, Mr. Chen Anguo, the initiator of the HongKong Escape Re-enactment Organization and other Overseas Chinese and students as well as descendants of the British escapees. The roundtable was presided over by Minister Chen Xiaodong of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

(Ambassador Liu makes remarks)

The Roundtable started with Ambassador Liu Xiaoming's remarks. He introduced the crucial importance of the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and its extraordinary contribution to the final victory of the world anti-Fascist war. Ambassador Liu said that the war in China against Japanese aggression is the major battlefield in the Far East and an important part of the world anti-Fascist war. Through protracted and bitter struggle, the Chinese people finally won the complete victory against Japanese aggressors along with the progress in the global fight against Fascism. On September 2, 1945, the Japanese government signed the instrument of surrender. Its aggression ended in complete defeat and the world's victory over Fascism was won.

Ambassador Liu said that China and Britain were allies during this war. Britain offered China valuable support in the form of economic assistance and military cooperation. Through fighting shoulder to shoulder, the Chinese and British peoples forged a profound friendship. Many of their heroic deeds of mutual help and sacrifice were made into films, which helped to keep these historical episodes alive in the hearts of the younger generation. All of us can relate to the world's anti-Fascism struggle, each in our own way. I look forward to this exchange with you to reflect on this unforgettable part of history so that we better grasp today and open up the future.

(Mr Lunn, representative of WW II veterans, makes remarks)

At the roundtable, Mr. Lunn, a veteran serving in the British air force during the World War II, said that it was a pleasure to attend the commemorative event on the victory against Fascists held by the Chinese Embassy in the UK as a representative of the British veterans of the World War II. Although there are less and less British WW II veterans alive, they still gather regularly to remember the days in the War. In late 1930s and early 1940s, the toughest time in the World War II, the Chinese and British peoples resisted the fierce aggressions of Japan and Germany respectively in the Far East and Europe and both paid a huge price for the final victories. As the young generation today is already customed to the peaceful environment and can only experience that time of war through films, such a commemorative event is very educational for them. He also hoped to express through the Chinese Embassy his sincere greetings and good wishes to the older generation of Chinese air crew members.

(Headmaster Hoare makes remarks)

Headmaster Norman Hoare of St. George's V. A. School then made remarks. He shared with others the touching story of George Hogg, a graduate from his school, who went to China as a journalist during the all-out Japanese invasion, wrote many reports exposing the crimes of the Japanese aggressors, set up the Bailie School, adopted Chinese orphans and finally died in China. Hoare said that it was a great honour to attend the commemorative event as the representative of Hogg's school. Although Hogg has left the world, his spirit of international cooperation will last. St. George's V. A. School is greatly honoured to have such an excellent alumnus as Hogg. As the headmaster of the school, Hoare always pays attention to promote the education on the history of the World War II in the school with Hogg's deeds as an example, so that the students will learn through Hogg's story the great history of the Chinese People's brave resistance against the Japanese Fascists and remember the huge contribution they made to the world anti-Fascist war.

(Chen Anguo makes remarks)                                           (Richard Wageman makes remarks)

Chen Anguo, the initiator of the HongKong Escape Re-enactment Organization, and Richard Wageman, a descendant of the British escapees, recalled how, in December 1941 when the Japanese aggressors attacked Hong Kong, the "Escape Party" formed by some British military officers and the Chinese officers stationed in Hong Kong managed to arrive safely in the Mainland with the help of the Chinese people. Chen said that all the escapees were grateful to the generous help offered by the Chinese people during their breakout. The seeds of the friendship between China and UK took roots in the hearts of the escapees and their families. Two years ago, the descendants of some escapers founded in HongKong Escape Re-enactment Organization. Last December, the Organization organized 80 members to follow the route of the breakout to express gratitude to the Chinese people that helped their family members.

(Qiu Baixi makes remarks)                                                        (Zhao Lei makes remarks)

Qiu Baixi, representative of the overseas Chinese, and Zhao Lei, representative of overseas Chinese students and President of the Chinese Students Association, made remarks respectively, saying that every Chinese is proud of the great victory against the Fascist aggression of Japan achieved by the Chinese people after protracted and bitter struggle. The Chinese people also realized that only a strong country can deter aggression. The younger generation today should remember this part of history, undertake their responsibility and make contributions to China's development and prosperity.

Ambassador Liu thanked the representatives for their remarks and said that China's victory over Japanese aggression was made possible in part by the support of peace-loving nations and peoples including Britain, international organizations and other anti-Fascist forces. China-Britain friendship forged during the war should not be forgotten. The round-table is just to pass on this legacy of friendship to the next generation. This will help our two peoples to understand each other better and will further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership. Liu believed that as the two countries work together, the China-UK relations will continue to grow to the benefit of the two peoples.

(Ambassador Liu makes closing remarks)

Ambassador Liu said that the commemoration on the 65th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression is to look back on history and, more importantly, to better grasp today and open up the future. The two world wars in the 20th centuries have inflicted untold suffering on people all over the world. Even today, wars and conflicts still rage on in some parts of the world. As countries of major influence, China and Britain should work with the rest of the world to safeguard stability and prevent war, promote cooperation of mutual benefit and work together for a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.