Editor's Note:

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Winning the war is a great victory for the national spirit with patriotism at its core, a great victory achieved with the Communist Party of China (CPC) fighting as the central pillar, a great victory fought by the whole nation through solidarity and bravery, and a great victory for the Chinese people, anti-fascist allies, and people around the world who fought shoulder-to-shoulder.

To commemorate this historic milestone and its lasting impact, the Global Times has launched a themed series revisiting the great significance of the victory through three lenses: The "Guardians of Memory," the "Witnesses of Struggle," and the "Practitioners of Peace." It underscores the importance of "learning from history to build together a brighter future."

This is the fifth installment of the "Guardians of Memory" series, in which, the Global Times spoke with several Chinese veterans who fought in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The veterans, now in their nineties, shared their experiences of joining the Chinese military and bravely fighting Japanese invaders on the front lines decades ago. They are the witnesses to those turbulent years of war, and the living heroes who safeguarded national dignity with their own flesh and blood.

'I was fearless at that time'

"Among the Hakka mountain songs, I sing the most, with two or three baskets of verses..."

In the 1940s, amid the sprawling mountains of southern China, a young boy sang a folk song in a local dialect with a clear, bright voice. This boy, Cai Hua, wasn't singing just for fun. As one of the youngest soldiers in the Dongjiang Column, he used the guise of singing mountain songs to secretly relay information to his comrades.

The Dongjiang Column, officially known as the Dongjiang Column of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerilla Force, was a guerrilla force against Japanese aggression under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). During the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it was active in South China's Guangdong Province, conducting guerrilla warfare in the vast enemy-occupied areas controlled by the Japanese and puppet troops.

Cai joined the Dongjiang Column in 1944 at the tender age of 12. Before that, after the death of his father, he'd worked for local landlords and wealthy farmers, often facing abuse. One day, while out gathering firewood, Cai encountered two guerrilla fighters from the Dongjiang Column. Sympathizing with Cai's plight, they later invited him to join the Dongjiang Column after several evaluations.

What drove young Cai to join the Dongjiang Column even more, was his deep hatred toward the Japanese invaders. He recalled that in 1938, the Japanese army carried out indiscriminate bombings across many parts of Guangdong. After occupying Cai's hometown, a village in Huizhou, Guangdong, they implemented the inhuman "Three Alls Policy," burning and massacring civilians for over 50 days. At that time, Cai was only six years old.

"I hated those who exploited the people," Cai told the Global Times.

Cai later became a soldier in the Dongjiang Column. That year, the Japanese army invaded northern parts of Guangdong, and the main task of the guerrilla fighters was to conduct sabotage behind enemy lines. The leaders of the Dongjiang Column entrusted young Cai with some special missions, such as "cutting the Japanese army's telephone lines" and "sabotaging their vehicles."

According to Cai's recollections, he was fearless at that time, "determined to make life difficult for the Japanese." With his cleverness and alertness, he caused a lot of trouble for the nearby Japanese forces, such as interrupting their communications, making their supplies disappear, and causing their vehicles to break down.

On one occasion, when a battalion of Japanese troops was stationed in Cai's village, he even went to steal the pistol of a Japanese battalion commander, when he saw him sleeping under a tree. "I called my cousin to keep watch with a hoe, while I grabbed his gun and ran away," Cai told the Global Times, smiling. "That was the closest I ever got to a Japanese commander."

Despite his young age, Cai was able to endure great hardships during the war. Once, when his commander asked him to deliver an urgent message, he spent three days and two nights crossing numerous gullies and wild ridges, evading the tracks of tigers and wild boar. "But I couldn't escape the mosquitoes; I was covered in bites, and my whole body was swollen," he recalled.

During the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Dongjiang Column effectively tied down a large number of Japanese and puppet troops in the vast mountains and villages of southern China, providing effective support to the frontline battlefield.

Having lived through the war and faced life-and-death challenges, Cai said he deeply understands the preciousness of peace. He said that in the past, they ate sweet potatoes and couldn't even bear to peel them, and going hungry was a common occurrence. "Now life is prosperous, and we lack nothing," he told the Global Times. "My greatest wish is for a strong country and a strong military, to safeguard our territorial integrity and protect the people's happy lives, preventing historical tragedies from repeating themselves."

Cai joined the CPC in 1954. He urges today's young people to remember history, work hard, and contribute to building a stronger nation. "Our country was once poor and backward, bullied by others. Today's happy life is the result of the blood and lives sacrificed by countless revolutionary martyrdom of Party members," he noted.

Chinese Embassy in Israel has condemned a recent visit to Taiwan island by a member of Israel's Knesset, saying the move seriously violated the one-China principle and undermined the political foundation of China-Israel relations, according to the spokesperson for Chinese Embassy in Israel on Wednesday.

A member of Israel's Knesset (MK) from Yesh Atid traveled to China's Taiwan island to meet with the so-called "vice president" and "foreign minister" of the Taiwan region. Upon returning to Israel, this MK exchanged mutual flattery with relevant figures of Taiwan island on social media and published an article in Israeli media, in which this MK boasted about his travel experience and openly referred to China's Taiwan as a "country." 

In response to a question concerning this matter, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Israel stated that the words and acts of this MK regarding Taiwan island seriously violated the one-China principle, severely undermined the political foundation of China-Israel relations, and gravely poisoned the atmosphere for the friendship and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. 

The Chinese Embassy in Israel firmly opposes and strongly condemns such acts, and has lodged solemn representations with the Israeli side, demanding an immediate correction of the wrongdoings to eliminate the negative impact, said the spokesperson.

"There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The one-China principle, as a prevailing international consensus and basic norm in international relations, has become part of the post-war international order," said the spokesperson. 

The spokesperson noted that the China-Israel Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations clearly stipulates that "the Government of the State of Israel recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China." It is evident that this MK is acting in open defiance of the Israeli government's position.

Taiwan island is a province of China and has never been a country, not in the past, and never will be in the future, the spokesperson said. "I would advise this MK to take some time to study Chinese history and understand how, over the course of more than 5,000 years of the Chinese civilization, the spiritual world and belief system of the Chinese people have been shaped." 

It is through this long history that a shared conviction - "the territory must not be divided, the country must not be disordered, the nation must not be scattered, and the civilization must not be broken" - has been forged. By learning Chinese history, you will not be easily misled and will come to realize that the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces have no way out and no future. The "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are nothing more than mere clowns, destined to bring disgrace upon themselves.

"I also advise this MK to open his eyes and see what are the global trend and reality regarding the Taiwan question: 183 countries have established diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle. By looking at the world objectively, you can break free from the information cocoon built by the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and make the right choice, instead of standing on the wrong side of history," the spokesperson said.

Furthermore, the spokesperson suggested that if possible, this MK should visit China's Fujian Province, which sits opposite to Taiwan Province across the Taiwan Strait. "You will see that people on both sides of the Straits are family bound by blood ties, and that Taiwan belongs to the over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots,'' the spokesperson said.  

"You will understand why Taiwan's future must and can only be determined by the collective will of the over 1.4 billion Chinese people, instead of being manipulated by a small group of the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces playing politics," the spokesperson said.

The American One Voice Children's Choir, whose heartfelt performance of Chinese ballad “As Your Wish” touched the hearts of millions of Chinese this January, visited Fuzhou No. 16 Middle School on Friday in Fuzhou, East China’s Fujian Province, where Chinese and American students bonded over China's intangible cultural heritage and exchanged songs and gifts. Youths from both sides told the Global Times that they believe music can transcend differences, that they will never forget such a memorable experience, and expect to see more such China-US collaborations in the future.

Together they tried their hands at traditional crafts including lacquer fans, cork carvings, ink wash painting, oil-paper umbrellas, and jasmine flower art. Under the guidance of Chinese peers, the young American visitors expressed deep fascination with these cultural treasures.

At the fan painting session, a member of the One Voice choir completed an expressive ink bamboo landscape in traditional Chinese style. She told the Global Times that "I think it conveys friendship. Because we did it together, me and my friend. He did this one and then I did this one. And they're growing together. It's a symbol of friendship.”

During the campus visit in Fuzhou, the One Voice choir and Fuzhou No. 16 Middle School's Yuying choir exchanged performances. 

"If you have ever suffered for my sweetness, I am willing to live as your wish. May it not be in vain, may we move forward bravely, in this prosperous world every day..." The chorus of As Your Wish resonated at the auditorium, as the Chinese and American students held hands while forming a circle. The auditorium erupted in cheers and thunderous applause, with many students moved to tears by this heartfelt cross-cultural connection.

As the campus tour wrapped up, Yuying choir exchanged gifts with the One Voice choir, such as pens and notebooks, Chinese paintings and jasmine flower tea.

Fuzhou No. 16 Middle School’s deep bond with American institutions dates back to some 166 years ago. In 1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church founded Yuying Girls' Boarding School- the first women's missionary school in East Asia and laid the cornerstone of what is now the Fuzhou No. 16 Middle School. 166 years later, those roots still grow strong. In its early days, American educators led this school; later, Chinese principals like Lan Xingqiu, educated at Columbia University, carried that legacy forward, Global Times learned from the school. 

The One Voice Children's Choir, from Utah, the US, is made up of a group of children who met while singing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. This tour marks One Voice's return to China after 2023, with performances in cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing.

The choir performed the Chinese song "As Your Wish" at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing with the video of this performance going viral on social media and garnering over 1 million likes. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the huge popularity of this video shows once again that more people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the US are what the people want and support. 

In November 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. Under this initiative, a total of over 16,000 young Americans have been to China on exchange and study programs in 2024. They made new friends, learned a new language, experienced the Chinese culture, and had a glimpse of a modern China, Guo said. 

The fourth typhoon of the year, Typhoon Danas, formed in the early hours of Saturday, which is expected to move in a north-northeasterly direction at a speed of around 10 kilometers per hour, with its intensity gradually increasing, , according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). 

At its peak, it may reach typhoon strength (Category 12-13, with wind speeds of 35-40 meters per second), and is projected to approach the coastal areas between the southwestern part of Taiwan island and northern Fujian Province, CCTV News said. 

From Saturday to Tuesday, there is a heightened meteorological risk of mountain floods and geological disasters in the central and eastern parts of Zhejiang and eastern Fujian, CMA said. 

There is also a meteorological risk of small to medium-sized rivers in parts of central and eastern Zhejiang exceeding warning water levels, Urban waterlogging due to heavy rainfall may occur in areas such as Jinhua and Taizhou in Zhejiang.

Maritime authorities in South China's Guangdong activated a Level III emergency response for tropical cyclone prevention at 10 am on Saturday, CCTV News said. 

In addition, typhoon preparedness alerts have been issued for six cities in the province including Shantou, Shanwei, Jieyang, Chaozhou, Huizhou, and Shenzhen.

The Fujian maritime safety administration activated a Level II typhoon emergency response at 12 pm on Saturday. Earlier at 11 am, the Fujian provincial meteorological administration raised its typhoon alert to Level III.

On the same day as of 3 pm, multiple passenger ferry routes - including the "Huangqi-Matsu," "Mawei-Matsu," and "Quanzhou-Kinmen" mini three-links routes - had suspended operations, and 50 marine construction projects had been halted.

At 8 am on Saturday, the Zhejiang maritime safety administration activated a Level IV maritime typhoon emergency response, instructing relevant maritime units to make necessary typhoon preparedness efforts. The Wenzhou Maritime Safety Administration initiated a Level III emergency response at 4 pm on the same day, according to the media report. 

Starting at 8:30 am on July 5, coastal areas of Ningbo also activated a Level IV typhoon emergency response. Maritime authorities in Ningbo have strengthened patrols and inspections of ports, waterways, anchorages, and inland navigation zones.

The first round of indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas ended inconclusively in Doha, Qatar, according to multiple media reports on Monday, while Israeli offensives continue in Gaza Strip. Analysts believed that Israel's participation in talks is likely more of a perfunctory response to US pressure, and the situation in Gaza is expected to remain grim for the foreseeable future.

According to the BBC, the session lasted for nearly three and a half hours and took place in two separate buildings in Doha. Messages and clarifications were exchanged between the two sides through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but no progress was achieved.

"After the first session of indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorized ... to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers," two Palestinian sources told Reuters.

The specific details of the latest ceasefire proposal have not been made public. According to a copy of ceasefire proposal submitted by mediators to Hamas obtained by The Associated Press ahead of the talks, during the 60-day ceasefire Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in.

The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war, but states negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days, the ABC News reported. 

The negotiation took place as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump Monday local time. Netanyahu said he believed his discussions with Trump would help advance talks on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, as Trump predicted an agreement could be reached this week, Reuters reported on Sunday. 

Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said that Israeli negotiators had clear instructions to pursue a ceasefire agreement under terms already accepted by Israel, Reuters reported. 

Israel's participation in ceasefire talks is, to some extent, a perfunctory response to US pressure, according to Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, in an interview with the Global Times on Monday.

The US aims to limit its engagement in the Middle East to prevent conflict escalation. However, since the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict erupted in 2023, the US has been constrained by its close ties to Israel, rendering it unable to fundamentally shape or restrain Israel's actions, Liu noted. 

Liu pointed out that Israel and Hamas remain deeply divided on core issues. Hamas hopes negotiations will lead to a complete end to the conflict, with Israel halting military operations, withdrawing from Gaza in phases, so as to facilitate a staged hostage exchange. However, Israel appears unwilling to end the conflict. Despite pressure to secure the release of hostages, Israel continues to pursue the complete elimination of Hamas.

The ceasefire talks came as Israeli forces intensified their attacks on Hamas in Gaza. According to Xinhua, Israel killed the head of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza in an airstrike, citing the military and Shin Bet domestic security agency on Sunday.

The civilian death toll in Gaza is also rising. Citing Civil Defense in Gaza, Xinhua reported that at least 43 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday.

Since Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, at least 6,860 Palestinians have been killed and 24,220 others injured, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023 to 57,418, with a total of 136,261 people injured, according to data released on Sunday by health authorities in Gaza.

In the coming period, even as negotiations proceed, Israel is likely to persist with its military operations in Gaza. Given the limited impact of external mediation, the stark power imbalance between Israel and Hamas, and Israel's increasingly bold and assertive posture following its conflict with Iran, the outlook for peace in Gaza remains deeply uncertain, according to Liu.

On June 23 and 25 local time, the Global Times held its "Overseas China Week" events in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with a photo exhibition titled "Moving forward together across mountains and seas: a decade of China-LAC sustainable cooperation," in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The photo exhibition drew widespread attention and positive feedback from various sectors in the two countries.
The exhibition's opening ceremony was held on June 23 local time at the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology, and Innovation in Buenos Aires. Global Times President and Editor-in-Chief Fan Zhengwei, Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Wang Wei, former Argentine Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Daniel Filmus, and former Argentine Defense and Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana jointly cut the ribbon.

The ceremony was witnessed by Chinese nationals based in Argentina, locals, business leaders, and other distinguished guests.
In his speech, Fan said that the event marked a celebration of China-LAC friendship and provided a new platform for sharing governance experiences and strengthening cooperation in sustainable development. Over the past decade, China and LAC countries have worked hand in hand across great distances to contribute touching stories of cooperation in the field of sustainable development, all for the shared goal of protecting humanity's common home.

The photo exhibition this time featured three sections - "Green lifestyle," "Green production," and "Green cooperation." It presented China's achievements in green mobility, clean energy, and ecological governance through photographs, media layouts, and curated exhibits. It also highlighted areas in which China-LAC cooperation has flourished, such as new energy, electric vehicles, satellite remote sensing, and agricultural technologies.

"From shared bikes on the streets of Beijing to self-driving Chinese e-bikes attracting crowds in Brazil, and from clean energy breakthroughs at the Baihetan hydropower station in Southwest China to low-carbon soybean oil produced in Argentina's Timbúes, the photos - taken by Chinese photographers, Chinese enterprises with deep cooperation with Latin America, and selected from the Global Times' own features - not only illustrate green cooperation achievements, but also capture the vivid journey of building a shared future," Fan said.
The exhibition coincided with a key milestone in China-LAC relations. The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-CELAC Forum. In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the forum, where he said that China and Latin America are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future and announced that the two sides would jointly launch five programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace and people-to-people connectivity, which provided clear direction for building a China-Latin America community with a shared future in the new stage.

Moreover, the 17th BRICS Summit will be held in July in Rio de Janeiro, and COP30 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is scheduled for November in Brazil.

"I'm very pleased to visit this photo exhibition organized by the Global Times," said Taiana. "It's a rare opportunity for the people of Buenos Aires to get to know many aspects of China, including its technological achievements, historical heritage, and beautiful natural landscapes. The exhibition offers a great overview and will hopefully spark curiosity to learn more about China and even visit the country in the future," he said.

Speaking on the prospects of China-LAC cooperation, Taiana said, "China is a world leader in renewable energy and environmental protection, while Latin America is home to critical biodiversity resources. China can play a leading role in promoting sustainable energy development, helping Latin America build a more sustainable development model and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty."
Carolina Mera, a professor at the University of Buenos Aires, told the Global Times that she was deeply impressed by how Chinese technologies were being applied in agriculture and environmental protection. "This is an important inspiration for South America," Mera said. "We should enhance environmental cooperation and learn from China's experience. Argentina also has technologies worth sharing. That's why strengthening China-LAC cooperation is crucial."

During the event, the Global Times Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology, and Innovation to jointly promote technological exchange and build a closer China-LAC community with a shared future.

On June 25 local time, the photo exhibition was moved to Brazil where it was held in Rio de Janeiro alongside the Global South Dialogue: Roundtable Forum of China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, attracting guests from government, academia, environmental groups, businesses, and the media.

The venue was filled with energy as visitors showed strong interest in themes such as agricultural mechanization in West China, China-Brazil technological cooperation, and urban ecological governance. Exhibition-related cultural and creative products were also well received by the visitors.

Many attendees told the Global Times that the exhibition helped deepen their understanding of the tangible foundation and great potential of China-LAC green cooperation.

Monica Bruckmann, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, said after visiting the exhibition, "We were pleasantly surprised by these photos. China's progress in industrialization and green energy is impressive. Through these images, we can truly feel the country's efforts."

"Seeing China's real advances in green energy, especially in solar power, is so important," Bruckmann noted, stressing that being able to witness these developments through visual media was profoundly meaningful.

"Both Brazil and China have vast natural resources, and an energy transition is vital for both nations. Moreover, China possesses advanced technologies," Bruckmann said. "As BRICS members, establishing strategic cooperation between the two nations is essential for advancing the global agenda."

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a professor at Fluminense Federal University in Brazil, was especially moved by a photo showing Beijing residents cycling down Chang'an Avenue at night. "It reminded me of my days in Beijing," he said. Carvalho believes that Beijing is a microcosm of China - seamlessly blending the past, present, and future while advancing steadily on the path of sustainable development.
During the exhibition events in Argentina and Brazil, many overseas Chinese told the Global Times that the images on display were valuable records and hoped they can be preserved locally for a long time. "We hope to see more exhibitions like this coming to Latin America to promote China's green development philosophy and bridge the information gap between domestic and international audiences," said one oversea Chinese in Argentina.

At two photo exhibition events, the heartfelt messages left by visitors in the guest books also served as vivid testaments to the friendship between China and Latin America: "Thank you, Global Times, for supporting the friendship and cooperation among peoples of different countries. Together, we long for a more united and just world." "It is an honor to see this platform promote mutual understanding and friendship between South America and China." "We will always be friends." The messages convey the deep appreciation for China-Latin America exchanges and also reflect the longing for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Previously, the Global Times "Overseas China Week" event had held similar photo exhibitions and promotional events in Germany and Kazakhstan, using images and visual storytelling to present China's green development philosophy and international cooperation achievements, making China's role in global low-carbon development visible and tangible to the world.

Liu Jialong contributed this story

When asked to comment on a UK report which alleged that Chinese spying has risen in recent years and Foreign Minister David Lammy has told parliament that his administration is investing US$800 million into the investigation as a result, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday reaffirmed China's steadfast commitment to the path of peaceful development. "China never poses a threat to any country, nor dose it interfere in other countries' internal affairs," Guo stated.

"Both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world. To grow bilateral ties and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation is in the interest of the two countries and the rest of the world," said Guo at a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

"China stands ready to grow its ties with the UK based on mutual respect and proper management of the differences, but we never accept any smear or groundless accusation," Guo noted.   

The Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Thursday. Both the group photo featuring participating parties and the group visit to the site of the 2018 SCO summit drew the attention of global media. The fact that defense ministers from 10 countries gathered to discuss regional issues and reached a consensus, especially against the backdrop of frequent regional conflicts, demonstrates their shared desire to pursue cooperation and seek development, experts told the Global Times.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted the meeting and delivered remarks, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

At a time when the international situation is intertwined with chaos and change, it is particularly important for the SCO to play the role of a stabilizing anchor, said Dong. 

He noted that China is willing to work together with all member states to uphold the original aspirations of the SCO and promote the "Shanghai Spirit," firmly defend international fairness and justice, jointly address security challenges, and promote the steady and long-term development of defense and security cooperation in moves to provide stronger support for building a shared home featuring solidarity, mutual trust, peace, prosperity, development, good neighborliness and friendship, as well as fairness and justice.

All participating parties unanimously agreed to continue to strengthen strategic communication, promote practical cooperation, and work together to maintain regional peace and stability. The meeting was a complete success, according to the Xinhua report.

Zhang Chi, a military affairs expert at the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), told the Global Times at the sidelines of the meeting that the remarks by the Chinese side showed vision, responsibility, and action.

Zhang Chi said that the Chinese side emphasized that the SCO is open and inclusive, upholding solidarity, mutual trust, shared security, consensus-building through dialogue, and close coordination, with the goal of building an SCO community with a shared future. The Chinese side also stressed that the SCO will serve as a stabilizing anchor amid a turbulent and complex international landscape, with member states working together to safeguard regional peace and stability. China is committed to advancing practical cooperation alongside fellow SCO member states. 

The meeting was attended by defense ministers from all 10 SCO member states, including India, Pakistan, and Iran, which have recently gone through conflicts. Through the discussions, all parties reached a consensus, agreeing to further strengthen strategic communication, advance practical cooperation, and jointly uphold regional peace and stability. Zhang said that this vividly exemplifies the "Shanghai Spirit," a spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development, thereby continuously advancing the building of an SCO community with a shared future.

The Global Times reporters also met many colleagues from other media outlets at the meeting, some of whom had also attended the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Since 2002, the Shangri-La Dialogue has become the biggest defense and security forum in the Asia-Pacific region, but many people have noted the differences between these two important events: the Shangri-La Dialogue was highly confrontational, while the SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting was full of friendly trust.

Zhang Chi, who has participated in five editions of the Shangri-La Dialogue, said that it is an international conference led by the US and Western countries that often intentionally hypes some sensitive and disputed issues, and even sets traps to attack attendees. By comparison, the SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting gives all parties full respect and hosts friendly conversations and talks.

Another difference is that the US and Western countries often trigger confrontation at some international conferences, which leads to a deterioration of global and regional tensions. The SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting, however, advocates the safeguarding of regional peace and stability, the strengthening of strategic communication and promotion of pragmatic cooperation, which provides positive energy for the peaceful development of the world.

Briefing the media at a regular press conference on Thursday, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said that China is the rotating chair of the SCO this year, and hosting the Defense Minister's Meeting is an important part of its duties.

Throughout the process of the establishment and development of the SCO, defense and security cooperation has played an especially significant role. The Chinese side has actively promoted strategic communication, deepened substantive cooperation, and initiated many cooperation programs, Zhang Xiaogang said. 

"United in cooperation, our journey will be long and steady. The Chinese military will work with militaries of other SCO member states to carry forward the 'Shanghai Spirit,' further broaden and deepen defense cooperation, and join hands in building a common home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, and fairness and justice, thereby contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind," said the spokesperson.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that an important mission of the SCO is jointly countering terrorism, separatism and extremism, as these forces threaten all countries' national security as well as peace and stability in various regions. He stressed that the SCO is not a military alliance, nor does it target a third party, but an organization that boosts cooperation.

SCO member states are influential countries that play crucial roles in safeguarding regional peace and stability. The stronger they are, the more helpful they will be in playing such roles, Song said.

Silently standing at the Kwong Tong Cemetery in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur for nearly eight decades, the Selangor Nanyang Drivers and Mechanics World War II Monument marked some less known stories during that massive war - overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia (Nanyang Huaqiao) who dedicated their youth and life on the Burma Road, a wartime lifeline for China's combat against Japanese aggression.

After Japan decreed full-scale war against China in 1937, many ports and maritime routes were occupied by Japanese troops and logistics became a serious problem. China opened up the Burma Road which connected today's Myanmar and Southwest China's Yunnan Province, for transportation of military supplies.

Some 3,200 overseas Chinese drivers and mechanics living in Southeast Asian countries were rallied by famous business pioneer and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee in 1939 during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945). From 1939 to 1942, these Nanyang Volunteers transported 500,000 tons of military supplies, more than 15,000 auto vehicles and countless civilian supplies through the Yunnan-Myanmar Road, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

These drivers and mechanics, braved primitive nature, poor road conditions and barrages of bombs, with more than 1,000 losing their lives. Among the rest of the volunteers, half returned to Southeast Asia and half stayed in China.

Numerous Nanyang Huaqiao, rich or poor, also donated their property to support China's resistance to aggression and anti-fascist efforts - in 1937-42, they supported more than 5.4 billion French francs by donation, overseas remittance and purchase of public bonds.

However, their contribution and sacrifice were "largely forgotten in the following half century," said Yong Pock Yau, the chairman of the association of Kwong Tong Cemetery Management Kuala Lumpur, where the monument stands.

Yong, a second-generation Malaysian Chinese, told the Global Times that he only got to know about the Nanyang Volunteers after becoming president of the association and very recently realized that the familiar Selangor Monument erected in 1947, which he sees daily, is the world's first dedicated specifically to this heroic group.

Another international task force operating in wartime on the Yunnan-Myanmar Road, protecting it from Japanese bombing, was American Volunteer Group. Compared with those "Flying Tigers," Nanyang Volunteers are unsung heroes.

"We are obliged to preserve their heroic stories and pass them on to future generations, so that history is correctly memorized, Yong said, "If we do not remember them, do not rescue the documents, do not tell our children about them, that will be a betrayal to our roots and disrespectful to the historical truth."

Sing for less known patriots

This year, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Kwong Tong Cemetery Kuala Lumpur is building the historic monument into a memorial park with a museum. Names of all the volunteers will be inscribed on a stela.

Due to lack of paper records, unearthing the history of Nanyang Volunteers depended heavily on oral history; as many of the volunteers settled down in Southwest China, a bunch of research institutions, museums and memorials took root in Yunnan Province.

To make the new memorial park true to history, educational and enlightening, Yong and his colleagues have visited institutions and museums in Yunnan to collect the limited and precious documents and photos, and learn about their curation experience.

Numbers, including 3,200, the number of volunteers, and 1,146 km, the full length of the wartime road, will be highlighted in the park.

Yong's team also retraced a section of the Yunnan-Myanmar Road "to get firsthand experience" of what it would be like to traverse the deep mountains and forests to get lifesaving supplies to the frontline.

The 24 switchbacks on this winding road became a design element of the memorial park to remind visitors of how dangerous the trip was and how brave the volunteers were, according to Yong.
"You will never understand their [Nanyang Volunteers] deep love for the motherland and their great courage, unless you retrace that path," 73-year-old Bong Boon Ming, nephew of a Malaysian volunteer, told the Global Times.

Bong organized a revisit to the historical road where 3,200 volunteers shed sweat, tears and blood. He is also in close contact with descendants of Nanyang Volunteers and related organizations to jointly preserve the history.

"For me and other volunteers' descendants, the revisit was about tracing family history, inheriting spirit of overseas Chinese and feeling their belief," Bong said.

Yong said it is hoped that this upgrade of the monument can help visitors, particularly the younger generation, to learn more about the Nanyang Volunteers' history, so as to better understand the role of our ancestors in the World War II and get a comprehensive view of war history.

Yong also mentioned that after Japanese occupation of Malaysia, they carried out massacres, mostly against overseas Chinese. There are many monuments for massacre victims across Malaysia. A large monument with a World War II Memorial Peace Park was built at the cemetery in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.

Just like the name Peace Park suggests, we are commemorating the suffering in war "not to pass on hatred, but because we yearn for and vow to safeguard peace," Yong noted.

Carrying on their legacy

There has been more and more people joining the cause of unearthing the Nanyang Volunteers' stories, doing related academic research and public education. It is crucial because the international community, especially the English language world, knows so little about it, said Xia Yuqing, professor and deputy director of the overseas Chinese research institute at the Yunnan Chinese Language and Culture College, Yunnan Normal University.

Xia has been doing research on the Nanyang Volunteers for decades.

Through exchanges with Southeast Asian countries, "we can bring their stories to the world" as peace defenders during World War II and hardworking builders of local communities after the war, Xia told the Global Times.

Their stories constitute an indispensable chapter in the narration of wartime Yunnan-Myanmar Road, an artery that links China to global anti-fascist forces, including British, Americans, Indians…It is an epitome of anti-fascist alliance's efforts in pursuit of peace and justice, Xia noted.

Yong told the Global Times that the construction of the memorial park and museum is going smoothly and they will open to the public on August 14, the eve of the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender.

Commemoration events in August will also include premiere of a drama featuring the Nanyang Volunteers. The cemetery association allocated fund for playwright and director, while all performers are volunteers.

After the debut, the drama will tour dozens of Chinese schools in Malaysia and possibly reach a wider audience, supplementing education of history that is seldomly taught today.

Yong had brought his children to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, as well as other memorial sites and venues.

"It is important for youth to understand that the peace and prosperity we enjoy today are not given, but obtained through endeavors and struggles."

The United States conducted attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. China strongly condemns the US attacks on Iran and the bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA. The actions of the United States seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, as well as Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. They have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East and dealt a heavy blow to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting, according to a release posted on the website of China's Permanent Mission to the UN on Sunday.

The international community must uphold justice and make concrete efforts to cool down the situation and restore peace and stability, said Fu.

In the context of the abrupt escalation of tensions in the Middle East, China is deeply concerned about the risk of the situation getting out of control. The parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, should reach an immediate ceasefire to prevent a spiraling escalation and to resolutely avoid the spillover of the war. The parties concerned should abide by international law, curb the impulse to use force, and avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire, Fu said.

Fu called for effective protection of civilians. "The ultimate victims of all conflicts are the innocent people. China is deeply saddened by the large number of civilian casualties caused by the conflict," Fu noted.

"At present, diplomatic means to address the Iranian nuclear issue have not been exhausted, and there is still hope for a peaceful solution. Parties should stay firmly committed to the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and work to bring it back onto the track of a political solution through dialogue and negotiation, with a view to reaching an agreement acceptable to all parties," Fu said.

The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It cannot stand idly by in the face of a major crisis. Russia, China, and Pakistan have proposed a draft resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, protection of civilians, respect for international law, and engagement in dialogue and negotiation, Fu said. 

"We hope that Council members can demonstrate their strong sense of responsibility by jointly supporting the draft resolution, to enable the Security Council to fulfill its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security," Fu noted.

China stands ready to work with the international community to foster synergy, uphold justice, and make unremitting efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East, Fu said.