On 28 August 2025, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and his wife Counsellor Hua Mei attended a concert in London commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Over 300 guests were present, including Lord Davidson of Glen Clova, Timothy Hailes, Lord Mayor Elect of the City of London, Colonel Andrew Smith from the MoD StratCom Integrated Global Defence Network, Professor Martin Albrow, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Anthony Jones, Chairman of the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association, and Major (Ret’d) Brian Finch, who has been collecting historical documents on the Lisbon Maru rescue over the years.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng noted that 80 years ago, the Chinese people fought heroically, made huge national sacrifices and defeated the Japanese aggressors. The Chinese people and the British people fought shoulder to shoulder as allies, made great contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and helped to establish a new international order. China has always been a peace-loving nation. On 3 September, China will hold a grand commemoration in Beijing to demonstrate its commitment to peaceful development, its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its capability to uphold world peace and stability. This concert in London is intended to use music to remember history, honour those who gave their lives for the cause of justice, express an aspiration for world peace, and reaffirm a commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Held in the brilliantly lit Royal College of Music concert hall and in a solemn yet spirited atmosphere, the concert themed “Honour History for a Better Future” presented a multidimensional artistic experience, including orchestral music, choral and solo singing, and recitation, performed by Chinese and British artists in a spirit of cultural exchange and mutual learning. It opened with a stirring rendition of “Ode to the Red Flag”, followed by classics from both countries, including “Nimrod” and “Xiaoxiang Rhapsody”, which conveyed their respective national spirit and a shared yearning for peace. A solo performance of a theme song from the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru paid tribute to the heroic rescue of British POWs by fishermen in Zhoushan, Zhejiang. The symphony “Bound by the Same Shore”, composed by a Chinese musician, made its overseas premiere, sending a message of solidarity and shared hopes for a better future. Chinese pianist Xiao Di gave a brilliant performance of “Ode to the Yellow River”, highlighting the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation. The concert was brought to a climax by a joint rendition of “Defend the Yellow River” and “My Motherland” by the Chinese Embassy Choir, the Bank of China London Branch Choir, and the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir. The spirit of resistance and love for the motherland conveyed in the two songs resonated deeply with the audience, who responded with prolonged applause and acclaim.
The event was supported by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the Bank of China London Branch, and the Hunan Province Performing Arts Group, and presented by the Hunan Province Song and Dance Drama Theatre and New Elements Music from London, with guest performers from the London City Orchestra and the Camden Philharmonic Orchestra.
