A seminar marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was held in Beijing on Aug. 31, focusing on the contributions of Soong Ching Ling, honorary president of the People's Republic of China and Sun Yat-sen's wife.

Participants pose for a group photo at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, Aug. 31. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

The event, titled "Seminar on Soong Ching Ling and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," was hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) at Soong's former Beijing residence. More than 100 participants attended, including family representatives of Soong Ching Ling's friends, international friends who made contributions to China's victory, and renowned experts and scholars.

Li Bin, vice chairwoman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and CSCLF chairperson, delivers a keynote speech at the "Seminar on Soong Ching Ling and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" in Beijing, Aug. 31. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

Li Bin, vice chairwoman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and CSCLF chairperson, delivered a keynote speech highlighting Soong's contributions to the war victory and human progress. Li emphasized the importance of remembering history, honoring fallen heroes, cherishing peace and creating a better future. 

She called for preserving wartime friendships established by figures like Soong, promoting mutual understanding and working together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

The seminar featured speakers from 12 countries across four continents addressing "Soong Ching Ling and World Peace."

Notable participants included Zhou Youma, son of George Hatem (Ma Haide), the first Westerner to join the Communist Party of China and obtain Chinese citizenship; Warren Bethune, a Norman Bethune descendant and chairperson of the Canada-China Friendship Association's Toronto branch; and Michael Crook, son of British friends David and Isabel Crook.

Other speakers included Jane Clegg, vice chairperson of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding and Arthur Clegg's daughter; Michael Dawson, president of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association; and Miyazaki Koseki, great-grandson of Japanese ally Miyazaki Toten. John Easterbrook, grandson of General Joseph Stilwell, who commanded U.S. forces in the China-Burma-India Theater, addressed the gathering via video.

In their speeches, the descendants recounted their ancestors' acts in standing with the Chinese people against aggression. They pledged to continue their forebears' commitment to promoting global peace and development.

Domestic participants from 11 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, focused their discussions on "Soong Ching Ling and the United Front Against Japanese Aggression."

Descendants of Sun and Soong, along with scholars from various regions, presented new research on Soong's historical role and the contributions of people in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to the war effort.

Before the seminar, Li met with attending representatives, while international guests visited the Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to view the exhibition "For National Liberation and World Peace."