Hu Jintao, Chinese president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, praised the Party for its leading role in the War of Resistance Against the Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) at a workshop in Beijing Saturday.
The top leader, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made a keynote speech at a workshop in memory of the 60th anniversary of the victory over the war, which was sponsored by the CMC and attended by a group of veterans of the CPC-led armed forces who live in this national capital.
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Hu showed lofty respect for and sincere comfort to the Anti-Japanese War veterans throughout the country and expressed deep condolences to all those who sacrificed or lost their lives during the war.
The great Anti-Japanese War has tempered the great Chinese people and stimulated the great national spirit, and the CPC and its people's army have always been the most active and faithful advocator and practitioner for the great national spirit of the Chinese people, Hu said.
China's Anti-Japanese War is an important part of the World Antifascism War and its oriental battlefield.
Hu described the victory of the war as the first complete victory among all the wars of resistance against invaders by the Chinese people in the past 100 years or more.
In his speech, Hu recalled the CPC's eminent role during the war, stressing that the CPC is the pillar for the whole nation to unite and fight against the Japanese aggression. The heroic stories and lofty style of the CPC-led armed forces during the war are a valuable spiritual wealth for the country to strengthen its defense and build the Army, he said.
"The whole Army should earnestly learn from them," Hu said.
Prior to the meeting, Hu had a cordial meeting with some war veterans and representatives of the wartime Army units.
Also present were three vice chairmen of the CMC Guo Boxiong, Cao Gang and Xu Caihou.
(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2005)
