Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a UN General Assembly's special meeting to commemorate all victims of WWII at the UN headquarters in New York on May 5, 2015. A UN General Assembly (GA) special meeting kicked off here on Tuesday to commemorate victims of the Second World War. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
The world anti-fascist war has left a good lesson for people of the world and it deserves lasting remembrance, a Chinese envoy said at the United Nations on Tuesday.
Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a special solemn meeting of the UN General Assembly in commemoration of the victims of the Second World War.
Noting the victory of the world's anti-fascist war was won at a big price from the people of the world, including the people of China, Liu stressed that history should not be forgotten.
"We emphasize history not for extending our hatred but to call on people to respect peace and hold on to peace," said Liu. "Only by remembering the scourge of war can we cherish the value of peace."
The special meeting was proposed in a UNGA resolution, which was adopted by consensus at the 69th session of the 193-member assembly in February, aiming to urge the international community not to forget wartime sacrifices and atrocities.
Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the world's anti-fascist war and the establishment of the United Nations, Liu said China will also hold activities in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japan.
As the main battle field in the East of the world anti-fascist war, China made huge national sacrifice in its war against Japan with a death toll of Chinese military and civilians exceeding 35 million, Liu said.
"China's war of resistance against Japan collaborated and supported the war efforts of the allied powers and in support of the action in European and Pacific battle fields, which is of great strategic significance," he said.
Liu said the Second World War has brought untold sufferings to Asia, Europe, Africa, and other places in the world, and all the peace-loving nations formed a world anti-fascist coalition, through painstaking and heroic fighting, won the victory of the anti-fascist war, leaving a far-reaching and profound impact on human civilization and progress.
"On this important occasion, we deeply remember the innocent victims of the war and paid highest tribute to the forerunners and martyrs who contributed their valuable lives to the victory of the world's anti-fascist war and to world peace, civilization and human progress," he said.
