The Press Center for the Events Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held its second group interview on Sept. 1. Overseas Chinese representatives introduced the commemorative activities by Chinese communities worldwide and the historical contributions of overseas Chinese communities to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Yang Boyao, chairman of the Association of Kwong Tong Cemetery Management Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

Mr. Xu Songhua, president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Spain 

Mr. Lin Wenmeng, president of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce Lin Wenmeng, president of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce 

Mr. Fang Zhiwei, honorary chairman of the Fiji Chinese Culture, Arts and Economy Federation Fang Zhiwei, honorary chairman of the Fiji Chinese Culture, Arts and Economy Federation 

Mr. Yu Junwu, head of Huaxing Arts Group Australia Yu Junwu, head of the Huaxing Arts Group Sydney of Australia 

Chairperson:

Mr. Chen Tao, head of the press center for the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War

Date: 

Sept. 1, 2025

Chen Tao:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the second group interview on the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, Chinese people both at home and abroad united as one, forming a powerful force to defend the country against the enemy, achieving unprecedented national awakening and unity. Overseas Chinese, risking their lives and giving away their fortunes, made important contributions to the victory over Japanese aggression and fascism. Some donated money and materials or worked to gain international aid, others returned to China to fight, and still others participated in the anti-fascist war in their places of residence.

Since the beginning of this year, overseas Chinese communities have conducted a variety of commemorative activities worldwide. Today, we have invited five representatives to introduce the commemorative activities by overseas Chinese around the world and the historical contributions of overseas Chinese communities to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. They are: Mr. Yang Boyao, chairman of the Association of Kwong Tong Cemetery Management Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Mr. Xu Songhua, president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Spain; Mr. Lin Wenmeng, president of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Fang Zhiwei, honorary chairman of the Fiji Chinese Culture, Arts and Economy Federation; and Mr. Yu Junwu, head of Huaxing Arts Group Australia.

Now, I will give the floor to them for their remarks. First, let's invite Mr. Yang from Malaysia to give his introduction.

Yang Boyao:

Good afternoon, everyone. I represent the Association of Kwong Tong Cemetery (Guangdong Yishan) Management Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. You may not be familiar with the term Yishan. Yishan originally operated as Yizhang (a traditional charitable facility in Southeast Asia that managed temporary encoffinment and funeral services) before evolving into a Chinese cemetery since many elderly overseas Chinese chose it as their final resting place. 

Previously, many overseas Chinese passed away without proper burial arrangements. Later, the leaders of local Chinese communities organized the Kwong Tong Cemetery and gave proper burials to our ancestors and esteemed predecessors, allowing them to rest in peace.

In 1947, the world's first monument commemorating the Nanyang Volunteers (overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia who volunteered as drivers and mechanics during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression) was built in Kwong Tong Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur. Over the past 70-plus years, we have carried out maintenance, repair and improvement work to preserve it. Recently, we have further standardized and expanded the scope of efforts related to Nanyang Volunteers. From 1938 to 1942, Nanyang Volunteers responded to Tan Kah Kee's call in Malaysia, returning to China with enthusiasm to fight against Japanese aggression. They donated supplies, medicines, and money, shipping these materials back to their motherland via the Burma Road. We should narrate their stories and promote their spirit of sacrifice, helping the young generation better understand this history. Thank you.

Chen Tao:

Thank you, Mr. Yang. Next, let's invite Mr. Xu from Spain to take the floor.

Xu Songhua:

Journalist friends, good afternoon. The host just mentioned that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Overseas Chinese communities, including those in European countries like Spain, held various commemorative activities. I will now introduce the basic situation of the commemorative activities in Spain.

The overseas Chinese community in Spain began preparing for the 80th anniversary in the victory of the War of Resistance in early May and has already launched various commemorative activities. The first youth calligraphy competition started in early June, followed by many other activities. The first feature is the particularly wide range, with 19 events held so far. The second feature is the richness of the content. The commemorative activities include seminars, performances, recitations, photo exhibitions, and calligraphy and painting exhibitions, which were not seen in the past.

In the Chinese community in Spain, everyone is very enthusiastic. From Madrid to Barcelona, from Valencia to the islands, we have carried out commemorative activities extensively, allowing people to understand the patriotic sentiment of "everyone has a duty toward his country."

I think our overseas Chinese and our next generation should remember this history, never forget the past, honor the martyrs, and pool our wisdom and strength.

Thank you.

Chen Tao:

Thank you, Mr. Xu. Next, Mr. Lin Wenmeng from Myanmar will give an introduction.

Lin Wenmeng:

Hello, everyone! I will introduce the contributions of overseas Chinese in the battles fought between Chinese and Japanese forces in Burma (now Myanmar) and in Yunnan province, as well as the situation of overseas Chinese communities participating in the protection and maintenance of overseas memorial facilities for our martyrs.

During the War of Resistance, famous patriotic overseas Chinese leaders such as Tan Kah Kee, also known as Chen Jiageng, organized 3,940 anti-Japanese national salvation groups, which became an important force in supporting China's resistance against Japanese aggression. Patriotic overseas Chinese in Myanmar, by selling their ancestral properties, donated over 400 million yuan in national currency and contributed 19 airplanes. They also risked their lives to serve as translators, medics, and guides. The medical staff of the overseas Chinese hospital in Yangon worked day and night to rescue the wounded, while overseas Chinese lined up on the streets to donate money to support the resistance.

The Chinese Expeditionary Force was dispatched to fight Japanese aggressors in Myanmar twice, with 140,000 soldiers forever resting in a foreign land. Memorial monuments for the Chinese Expeditionary Force martyrs have been erected in many places across Myanmar, and the overseas Chinese community has consistently donated funds for their restoration and maintenance. Every year during major holidays such as Qingming Festival, the overseas Chinese community in Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, descendants of soldiers of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, and people from all walks of life visit the monuments to pay their respects.

The history of the War of Resistance tells us that the fate of overseas Chinese is closely linked with their motherland. We deeply commemorate our martyrs and remember the contributions made by overseas Chinese to the War of Resistance.

Thank you.

Chen Tao:

Thank you, Mr. Lin Wenmeng. Next, let's welcome Mr. Fang Zhiwei from Fiji to give an introduction.

Fang Zhiwei:

Good afternoon, everyone. I am Fang Zhiwei, an overseas Chinese in Fiji, a South Pacific island country. My ancestral home is Zhongshan, Guangdong province. My Mandarin is not very good, please forgive me. I am the honorary chairman of the Fiji Chinese Culture, Arts and Economy Federation. Today, I am greatly honored to participate in the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance. Speaking of my family history, my grandfather Fang Zuobiao was a patriotic overseas Chinese. He was born in Shaxi town, Zhongshan, Guangdong province. In the 1920s, he and his brothers sailed to Fiji to make a living. Starting from nothing, he gradually built his own business, and became a patriotic businessman. In 1937, he took the lead in calling on and organizing the overseas Chinese communities in the South Pacific island countries to donate money and supplies. He mortgaged his own property to the bank and used his entire life savings to donate a fighter plane. Later, the overseas Chinese in the South Pacific island countries donated three more planes, bringing the total to four. Although he had little formal education, he named his children Guo (nation), Qiang (strength), Fu (prosperity), Min (people), Xing (revival). He did so to remind the next generation that only with a country can there be a home. My father, Fang Zifu, was the third child. He returned to China from a young age to study Chinese culture. After retiring, he took us back to Fiji. Later, I also sent my daughter and other children to China to study Chinese culture and traditional Chinese medicine. They are now making Chinese culture shine in Fiji, and sharing China's stories with the world. My hope is that they will become better and better, and tell China's stories well.

Thank you.

Chen Tao:

Thank you, Mr. Fang. Next, let's welcome Mr. Yu from Australia for his introduction.

Yu Junwu:

Hello, everyone. I am from Sydney, Australia. The year of 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On this sacred occasion, the Huaxing Arts Group Sydney of Australia, with strong support from all parties, held a thematic commemoration, including a grand symphonic epic concert and photo exhibition, titled "Ode to Peace and the Future" at Sydney Town Hall on Aug. 9

As an overseas Chinese artist, I feel responsible for using culture as a bridge to let the concept of peace transcend borders and become an eternal driving force for human development. With this in mind, the "Ode to Peace and the Future" commemoration adopted a professional, popular, diverse and inclusive form. It brought together ethnic artists from many countries such as China, Australia, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands. With a cast of 400 actors, the performance was stirring and magnificent, and has gained positive feedback among locals.

Thank you.

Chen Tao:

Thank you, Mr. Yu. The floor is now open for questions. Please state your news organization before asking your question.