Distinguished Guests, Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening! Warmly welcome you all to attend this reception to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist and the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The Second World War is the most extensive and destructive war in the history of humankind, bring untold suffering to human civilization. It's also a momentous war in history in which justice prevailed over evil, light over darkness and progress over reaction. This is an unforgettable episode of human history.

The Chinese People's War against Japanese Aggression is part and parcel of the World Anti-Fascist War. On September 18^th 1931, Militarist Japan invaded northeastern China. On July 7^th 1937, Militarist Japan launched all-out aggressive war against China. As the main battlefield in the east, China was the earliest and the longest country in the War. The Chinese people made enormous national sacrifice. According to incomplete statistics, up to 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or maimed during the war.

The protracted resistance by the Chinese people helped pin down the main military forces of Militarist Japan, offered needed strategic coordination in support of the Allies' operation in the European and Pacific battlefields and restrained the strategic collaboration among Fascists. The determined resistance by the Chinese people shored up the Allies' confidence in the war and paved the way for the formation of the worldwide united front against Fascism.

During the war of Chinese Resistance, China also gained the sympathy and support of all peace-loving and justice-upholding countries and peoples as well as international organizations in the world, the Chinese people will forever remember the invaluable contributions.

In accordance with the common practice and in reference to routines of other countries, the Chinese government will hold a series of commemorative activities, such as commemoration meeting, military parade, reception and artistic performance etc., in a bid to memorize the history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and open up to the future.

Seventy years after the last shot of the Second World War was fired, the complex and profound changes have taken place in both human society and world landscape. Promoting peace, development and cooperation has become an irresistible trend of our times.

However, the world we live in is not yet tranquil, with local conflicts and hotspot issues cropping up now and then, the specter of war still casting a shadow and global peace and development confronted with a host of difficulties and challenges. So organizing commemorative activities is conducive to developing and expanding the spirit of the world Anti-Fascist, conducive to strengthening cooperation among countries, conducive to coping with current challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

History if not forgotten, is a guide for the future. We take this important opportunity to review history, draw upon experience and lessons, adhere to the historical perspectives towards the Second World War, and firmly oppose any rhetoric and action that glorify the Fascist and Militarist aggression, prevent the historical tragedy from happening again, inject more positive energy to the peace and development endeavor of all human beings.

Peace is an eternal theme of mankind, and is also a goal that we all strive to attain. China will firmly adhere to the path of peaceful development and is committed to promoting regional and international peace and prosperity. Last year, the Chinese government raised the initiatives of the "Silk Road Economic Belt and 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road" with the principles of "Common Consulting, Common Building, Common Benefiting", which aims at building the common destiny community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have but one planet and countries share one world, let's heart to heart, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder to safeguard the world peace, promote common development and open up a better future for humankind.

Thank you all.