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Chinese-Canadians join Vancouver's Remembrance Day

Xinhua, November 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Vancouverites gathered at war memorials on Wednesday paying honor to those who have fought for Canada over the past 100 years in conflicts around the world.

Veterans, current members of the Canadian Forces, dignitaries and thousands of residents came to the city's downtown cenotaph for the 91st time on this Remembrance Day.

They fell silent for two minutes on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The ceremony finished off with wreaths being laid at the cenotaph and a march of various veterans' groups, bands, regiments and cadets in the downtown.

The national holiday gives Canadians of all ages a chance to reflect and learn about the sacrifices of their armed forces, and the wars that never go far way.

In Vancouver's Chinatown, many gathered at the Chinatown Memorial Square to recognize the efforts of the Chinese-Canadians who have fought for this country over the decades. Dignitaries and veterans took turns laying down wreaths at the bottom of the Chinese war monument.

Maj. Alfred Wood, the event co-organizer, told Xinhua that it was important to come together on this day "because the Chinese-Canadian community needs to appreciate the sacrifices that veterans, especially World War I and World War II veterans, of Canada, have made in the building of Canada."

Up until World War II, Chinese-Canadians faced discrimination here at home and were not considered equal citizens. But hundreds of them signed up to fight for Canada anyway.

"At that time, of course, you recognize that the Chinese were not regarded as citizens of Canada, but nevertheless they still volunteered. And their integration made a big difference into the armed forces, and of course afterwards a grateful nation awarded them full citizenship," Wood said. Endi