China News Service:

As a political party characterized by its ties with overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese, the China Zhi Gong Party has close ties with overseas Chinese communities. Could you tell us about the historical details of the China Zhi Gong Party's efforts to connect with overseas Chinese communities and aid the nation in times of crisis? And what roles did it play?

Lu Guoyi:

Thank you to this reporter for your attention to the China Zhi Gong Party and to overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the China Zhi Gong Party. Next month, we will hold a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the China Zhi Gong Party. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the China Zhi Gong Party actively engaged in this effort in the following ways. First, through public campaigns, they proclaimed China's policies, ideals, spirit, and national integrity to the world. Second, they directly participated in armed struggles. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the China Zhi Gong Party members were involved in the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 and the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. Third, they made donations.

There are many examples in these three aspects. First, regarding making their voices heard. Nowadays, everyone has a mobile phone. There is self-media and numerous media organizations. Back then it was very difficult to make one's voice heard. However, overseas Chinese had their own advantages. They were located all over the world. They had their own media outlets and newspapers, and had extensive connections with other expat communities. This enabled their voices to be heard through media, as well as through express mail services.

The second aspect is armed struggle. The China Zhi Gong Party members participated in many armed struggles. Here, I would like to specifically introduce the stories of the Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics. At the most critical moment of the war of resistance in 1939, overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia organized themselves. At the time, there were about 3,000 young people, mainly from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and several other countries. They returned to their motherland to participate in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression. Many were engaged in transportation, ensuring international aid supplies reached the mainland through the Burma Road. After several years, one-third of them sacrificed their lives. This casualty rate was even higher than that of the front-line combat troops. Their sacrifice was truly extraordinary. Many of those who served in this capacity were from well-off families. During that time, mastering both driving and automobile repair was a tremendously remarkable skill. This showed the patriotism of our overseas Chinese. The longer they lived abroad, the more patriotic they became. They really demonstrated this.

During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the China Zhi Gong Party also played a role in donations of money and supplies. According to rough statistics at that time, from 1936 to 1946, overseas Chinese communities in North America and other regions raised more than $480 million. This was subsequently delivered to supporting those on the front lines of the war of resistance. Thank you.

Science and Technology Daily:

This question is for Mr. Cong Bin. In the long scroll of modern Chinese history, the ideology of saving the country through science always resonated with the destiny of the nation. We also learned that the "Founding Declaration of the Jiusan Society" proposed to carry forward the spirit of the May Fourth Movement and uphold "Democracy and Science" as the way to save the country. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, how did the founding members of the Jiusan Society practice the spirit of saving the nation through science amidst the national crisis? And over the past 80 years, how have we carried forward the fine tradition of patriotism, democracy, and science, and participated in, and contributed to, boosting China's strength in science and technology? Thank you.

Cong Bin:

You raised very good questions. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, many of our predecessors used science as a weapon to participate in saving the nation through science amidst the raging war. For example, the renowned physicist Mr. Yan Jici led the Institute of Physics to produce more than 1,000 quartz oscillators for stabilizing wave frequencies in radio transmitters. He managed this feat from a simple bungalow, as stable wave frequencies are necessary for radio transmission. They also manufactured more than 300 sets of pentagonal rangefinders and binoculars for the infantry. These were all supplied to the frontline troops for the war of resistance, rear-line medical services, as well as scientific research and teaching. Another fine example would be the case of the meteorologist Mr. Tu Changwang. He and his team persisted in making high-altitude weather observations from a pile of rubble, using a rudimentary device—a kite radiosonde. They pioneered the theoretical framework for Chinese three-dimensional meteorology. Their observations accurately predicted the optimal windows for military operations, aiding transportation aircraft to break through the Japanese blockade. These efforts provided tangible scientific support for the resistance war against Japanese aggression. These distinguished predecessors are outstanding representatives of the Jiusan Society. They closely combined their personal ideals with the destiny of the nation, vividly interpreting the essence of the spirit of "saving the nation through science."

After the founding of New China, the Jiusan Society enthusiastically devoted itself to the construction of the new China. Well-known figures such as Wang Ganchang, Deng Jiaxian, Zhao Jiuzhang, Chen Fangyun, and Cheng Kaijia were all members of the Jiusan Society. They worked anonymously for decades, prioritizing the interests of the country and the nation. They made outstanding contributions to the successful development of China's "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project. Their determination to use science to serve the country—a determination full of patriotism and a tenacious conviction to win—is a perfect reflection of the great spirit of resisting aggression.

In the new era, we in the Jiusan Society adhere to the principle of serving the country's needs with our party's strengths. For example, we have scientist Lu Ke, who studies metallic materials, and Pan Jianwei, known for his quantum communication research. They exemplify countless Jiusan Society members who have made outstanding achievements in their fields, embodying our society's patriotic, democratic and scientific spirit, as well as inheriting our predecessors' passionate patriotism and steadfast belief in victory.

As we embark on our new journey, our new generation of Jiusan Society members are committed to carrying on our organization's excellent traditions while championing the great spirit forged during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. With firm confidence and unwavering determination, we will strive to make even greater contributions to comprehensively advancing national rejuvenation and the great cause of building a strong country through Chinese modernization.

Thank you.