More than 300 World War II veterans from around the world signed a Peace Declaration and inaugurated a Peace Monument in Beijing Friday, marking the 60th anniversary of China's victory in the resistance war against Japanese aggression.
"Yesterday, We served in the armed Forces. Sixty years ago, we experienced the Second World War. Today, We are survivors... Here we declare our hopes: Love life. Cherish peace," the declaration reads.
The declaration was engraved in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish on a 100-meter-long wall, named as the Beijing Peace Monument, set up in Chaoyang Park located in a central business district in Beijing .
"We came this land in war fire from our country and fought with brave Chinese people 60 years ago. We sacrificed to fight against the fascist for the world peace," US veteran Alfred Gardner told Xinhua.
"Now we come again 60 years later to contribute for the lasting world peace," he said.
As participants and survivors of WWII, the veterans are warmly welcomed in China and attending a series of commemorative activities.
(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2005)
