Xinhua Insight: China pledges peace, cut of troops at WWII victory commemoration

China will remain committed to peaceful development, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, while announcing a cut of 300,000 troops from the country's military.

Xi made the remarks in his speech at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China is the people's army. All of its officers, men and women, must... faithfully fulfill the sacred duty of protecting the nation's security and people's well-being, and carry out the noble mission of upholding world peace," Xi said.

"No matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation," Xi said.

Excited to hear Xi's speech, Cheng Lianchang, a retired government official watching the celebration in Tian'anmen Square, told Xinhua that he was impressed by the troop cut.

"The cut in troops reflects China's confidence in its military strength and its wish for peace," Cheng said.

Xi stressed the aim of Thursday's commemoration is to keep history in mind, honor all those who laid down their lives, cherish peace and open up the future.

REBIRTH

Xi described the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as "the first complete victory won by China in its resistance against foreign aggression in modern times."

The President stressed that the victory put an end to China's national humiliation after suffering successive defeats at the hands of foreign aggressors in modern times, and re-established China as a major country in the world.

"This great triumph opened up bright prospects for the great renewal of the Chinese nation and set our ancient country on a new journey after gaining rebirth," Xi said.

Xi noted that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War were a decisive battle between justice and evil, between light and darkness, and between progress and reaction.

"In defiance of aggression, the unyielding Chinese people fought gallantly and finally won total victory against the Japanese militarist aggressors... This remarkable feat made by the Chinese nation was rare in the history of war," Xi said.

Professor Qiao Liang, with the National Defense University PLA China, told Xinhua that China learned a tough lesson during WWII: without a strong army, a country is prone to predation; Without the capacity to stem war, historical tragedies are doomed to happen again.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF SHARED FUTURE

Ravaging through Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, WWII inflicted more than 100 million military and civilian casualties. China suffered more than 35 million casualties.

According to Xi, the Chinese people made huge sacrifices holding their ground in the main Eastern theater during the World Anti-Fascist War, while receiving extensive support from the international community.

Nearly 1,000 foreign troops from 17 countries participated in the military parade Thursday, a key part of the commemoration, together with about 12,000 Chinese servicemen and women.

Qiao said the participation of foreign armies will remind people that WWII victory was won through the efforts and sacrifice of many countries.

"The Chinese people will always remember what the people of other countries did for the victory of their War of Resistance," Xi said, adding that the experience of war makes people "value peace all the more."

According to Xi, the best way to honor the heroes who gave their lives to uphold freedom, justice and peace and mourn the loss of innocent lives brutally taken during the war is to make sure that this historical tragedy will never repeat itself.

"Seven decades ago, peace-loving countries across the world joined forces in the fight against fascism and achieved victory. Today, it also needs the joint efforts of all people to safeguard justice and peace," Qiao said.

"A commemoration is totally worth it if the aim of showcasing our military power is to safeguard justice and peace," he added.

Major General Lyu Yueguang, present at the parade, told Xinhua that the commemoration helps boost Chinese people's morale, especially as the country's comprehensive reform drive has entered a crucial stage.

Warning that the world is far from tranquil, Xi called for a global community of shared future.

"In the interest of peace, we need to foster a keen sense of a global community of shared future," Xi said. "Prejudice, discrimination, hatred and war can only cause disaster and suffering, while mutual respect, equality, peaceful development and common prosperity represent the right path to take." Endi