Ladies and Gentlemen:

On April 17, 1942, eight Chinese were tortured, shot and bayoneted to death by the brutal Japanese military police at the Chinese cemetery in Manila. These defying Chinese who defended Chinese national dignity and refused to collaborate with the invading Japanese troops were none other than Dr. Yang Guangsheng, Chinese Consul General in the Philippines, and seven other Chinese consular officials.

The ruthless murder of these Chinese diplomats in open defiance of international law was just one appalling example of the innumerable atrocities committed by Japanese aggressors during the Second World War.

The Second World War launched by fascists and militarists over 60 years ago inflicted untold disasters and catastrophes in human history. More than 60 countries and regions, including the Philippines and China, and over 2 billion people were plunged into the bloody and merciless war. As a result, the War left more than 55 million people dead and 15 trillion USD in economic loss.

China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was an important part of World War II and China was the main battlefield in the Far East. During that War, Chinese resistance forces engaged and pinned down two thirds of the Japanese army, and killed and wounded more than 1 million Japanese invaders which account for almost 70 percent of the total Japanese military casualties, and made tremendous contributions to the final victory of the world war against fascism.

During the 14 long years of war against Japanese aggression, the Chinese people suffered enormous loss of life and property. China's military and civilian casualties were estimated at more than 35 million, not to mention a total economic loss of 600 billion USD. The infamous Nanjing Massacre alone claimed more than 300,000 Chinese lives. The outrageous atrocities committed by Japanese militarists aroused popular indignation of all humanity.

The Filipinos, like the Chinese people, also suffered enormous sacrifices during the last war. Tens of thousands of Filipinos, both soldiers and civilians, were killed by the Japanese occupation forces. Many Filipino families were broken and numerous people were made homeless. The city of Manila, once known as the Pearl of the Orient, was reduced to rubbles. However, in defiance of the mightier and merciless invaders, the courageous Filipinos rose in arms against the Japanese aggressors and fought the enemy to the last drop of their blood. It is worth mentioning that many Filipino-Chinese and their guerrilla detachments also fought shoulder-to-shoulder with their Filipino brothers and sisters in the gallant defense of their homeland, and many of them lost their lives in combat or in Japanese prisons. They continued to fight persistently until the very moment when the Philippines was liberated by the Allied Forces in 1945.

I now wish to express my highest respect to the brave and heroic Filipino people, the Filipino-Chinese veterans and all others who fought and died in this country during the war against Japanese aggression.

Ladies and Gentleman,

The Second World War was a life-and-death battle between good and evil, and between light and darkness. Countries like China, the Philippines, the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France and many other countries and regions as well as all the peace-loving people around the world fought shoulder to shoulder, and supported each other on different battlefields in the bloody war. After protracted years of bitter fighting, the peace-loving people and their forces ultimately defeated the fascist and militarist aggressors, saved human civilization and won peace for the world.

World peace was achieved with an unprecedented heavy price and the tragedy of war must not be allowed to repeat itself. The tremendous calamity and deep wounds inflicted by the Second World War still have shocking effects and prompt people's deep reflection. Only by keeping in mind the bitter historical lessons and war disasters, can we avoid another tragic war.

And yet today, 60 years later, the specter of militarism is still haunting us. Some right wing extremists have been trying with every possible means to deny and whitewash the crimes committed against humanity during the last war. It is a wanton challenge to the victory of the world war against fascism and militarism, to world peace and to the humanity as a whole. Acting against the popular aspiration and will of the people all over the world, they are doomed to fail.

Ladies and Gentleman,

The very reason we are here today to commemorate Victory of China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Victory of Worldwide War Against Fascism is none other than keeping in mind the tragic war history so as to better cherish and protect hard-won world peace, and build together a brighter future for generations to come. While commemorating the victory of the War against fascism and militarism, we should not forget the appalling atrocities brought to mankind by fascism and militarism. Only by so doing, can we better understand and safeguard world peace won with blood and lives of the peace-loving people in the world.

The Chinese people, subjected to bitter suffering and heavy losses by foreign aggressors in recent history, appreciate deeply the precious value of peace. The Chinese Government and people will unswervingly follow the road of peaceful development, and make unremitting efforts to defend world peace and promote common development. I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, China shall continue to work with the Philippines and all other Asian countries to strengthen our cooperation and promote common prosperity so as to build together our better tomorrow.

Thank you!