Interview: China makes great contributions to global war against Fascism: Thai businessman

The Chinese fought bravely and tenaciously in the eight-year war of resistance against Japanese aggression and made indelible contributions to the victory of the world's anti-Fascist war, the president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce has said.

It is of great significance to commemorate the victory, and remind the younger generations to learn from history, cherish peace and avoid war, Yong Suksudprasert told Xinhua in a recent interview.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the victory in World War II.

The anniversary commemorations will help enhance the cohesiveness of the Chinese nation and further boost the nation's self-esteem, confidence and pride, Yong said.

He also stressed the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the anti-Japanese invasion war, saying the CPC had led the fearless masses in the war of resistance against the atrocities of the Japanese Fascists.

The CPC had played a crucial role, Yong said, adding that without the CPC, there would not have been a victory over the Japanese imperialists.

Yong praised Beijing's Sept. 3 military parade, part of a series of events to commemorate the victory in World War II, as showcasing China's strength.

The world will see that China is no longer the "sick man of East Asia," Yong said.

The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce has also made its own contributions to the resistance against Japanese aggression, Yong said.

Yi Guangyan, the then president of the chamber, called on overseas Chinese in Thailand to boycott Japanese products, organized fundraisers,made donations to China's anti-Japanese troops, and inspired overseas Chinese youth to go off to war. Yi was later assassinated for his part in the anti-Japanese movement.

"It was a glorious period in the chamber's history, which we will always remember," Yong said.

Currently, he said, some right-wing forces in Japan are still turning a blind eye to historical facts and attempting to distort history.

They have failed to repent for Japan's wartime atrocities and owe a sincere apology to the Chinese people, he said, underscoring that overseas Chinese stand firmly against attempts to deny and whitewash the aggression. Endi