Photo by Li Muzi/Xinhua News Agency

Deputy-Secretary-General Jan Eliasson,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening. Thank you for joining us in the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition "Remembering for Peace" in 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 and the founding of the United Nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

70 years ago, the Chinese people, through painstaking struggles and with enormous sacrifices, ultimately defeated the atrocious aggression of Japanese militarists and won the nation's first complete victory over foreign invaders in modern history. The photos on display here may fade with time, but the indomitable spirit, the exceptional valor, and the unyielding perseverance and resilience thereby shown remain as the most valuable asset of the Chinese nation. The victory, as remarked by Chinese President Xi Jinping, shattered Japanese militarists' plot to enslave and colonize China, washed off the national shame of repeated defeat in fighting foreign invasions and opened up broad prospects for grand rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was part and parcel of the World Anti-Fascist War. The flames of the horrific war started by fascists engulfed over 80 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, bringing untold sufferings to nearly 2 billion people. The Chinese people, who bore the brunt of war the earliest and for the longest, made the most enormous sacrifices. On the main theatre in the East, China, with its unyielding resistance, played a decisive role in the defeat of the Japanese invaders, promoted the formation of the global united front against Fascism and supported the actions on the European and Pacific theatres, thus making indelible contributions to the final victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

In the war, the Chinese people received sympathies and support from all peace-loving nations. The photos on display here record the timeless memories engraved in the hearts of all Chinese--- the precious support from the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and all the anti-fascist allies; anti-fascist fighters from Canada, Germany, Japan and other countries with whom we fought shoulder to shoulder; the Flying Tigers who flew side by side with the Chinese pilots over the dangerous "hump route"; Dr. Norman Bethune from Canada and Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis from India who came all the way to China to save lives and treat the wounded; and the Soviet fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields in China. We will never forget what they and the many others in the international community did for our resistance war.

As we are reflecting on history, a quote from Victor Hugo appears in my mind. He said, history is an echo of the past in the future and a reflex from the future on the past. By reappearing history with archive photos, we are not to let the hatred of war live on, but to call for firmer commitment to peace, and to the realization of the vision set forth by the UN Charter--- to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought the untold sorrow to mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Over the past 70 years, the world has undergone unprecedented and profound changes. Peace, development and win-win cooperation is the calling of our time. China will work with all other nations to firmly uphold the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order with the United Nations at its core and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as its bedrock. Together, let us endeavor to foster a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and build a community of common destiny for all.

Thank you.