By Sarafina Christopher

China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Thursday in Abuja, said that Nigeria’s consistent adherence to his country’s One-China principle was the cornerstone of growing China-Nigeria partnership.

He stated this at a symposium held by the Chinese Embassy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

He noted that the return of Taiwan to China was the outcome of the post-war order, reiterating Beijing’s position that reunification was a historic inevitability.

Yu said both countries, as major developing nations and key members of the Global South, had the responsibility to defend the outcomes of World War II, and safeguard the international order.

The ambassador reaffirmed China’s commitment to upholding global peace, unity, and multilateral cooperation, adding that the two countries should work together for global fairness and justice.

Yu described the commemoration as a solemn reminder of shared sacrifices and a renewed call for collective commitment to peace.

“This anniversary is not just a reflection on history but a reminder of the values of courage, unity, and perseverance.

“We are not here to dwell on hatred, but to honour sacrifices and pledge that such tragedies will never happen again,” he said.

He recalled the Sept.18, 1931 incident, which sparked China’s 14-year resistance against Japanese militarism, adding that the Chinese resilience and the Communist Party of China (CPC) played a decisive role in the struggle.

Yu also paid tribute to Nigerian soldiers who fought against the Japanese forces in Burma during the war, stressing that China and Africa shared a legacy of sacrifice in the global anti-fascist struggle.

The Ambassador reaffirmed China’s commitment to peace, highlighting the vision of President Xi Jinping for building “a community with a shared future for mankind”.

He cited initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative as China’s contributions to global stability and prosperity.

“China will never forget how hard it was to achieve peace. That is why we remain firmly committed to peaceful development and to building partnerships that reject hegemony and promote win-win cooperation,” Yu said.

Also speaking, Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), provided a detailed historical perspective on the war, recalling the Marco Polo Bridge Incident of 1937 as the onset of Japan’s full-scale invasion.

He stressed the significance of China’s protracted resistance, which tied down nearly a million Japanese troops and inflicted heavy losses in spite of enormous sacrifices.

Onunaiju emphasised that China’s wartime resilience forged a national consciousness that shaped its post-war political framework, citing the inclusive “Three Thirds System” as a foundation for China’s consultative democracy.

He argued that China’s victory not only rebuilt its national strength but also entrenched a philosophy of peace embodied in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which remain central to its foreign policy.

Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, Director, Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research and Head of the International Centre, University of Abuja, described the war’s victory as “a lesson for humanity, a tale of hope, resilience, and patriotism.”

Ibrahim outlined six key lessons from the war: the rejection of colonialism, the necessity of patriotism, unity of purpose, justified political resistance against tyranny, international cooperation, and recognition that victory must be earned through resilience.

He urged nation-states to adopt multilateralism, trust-building, and cooperation as safeguards against future aggression.

“The Chinese people’s unprecedented resistance against Japanese aggression transformed them into a paragon of patriotism and resilience.

“The world must learn from this example and pursue peace with unity and justice,” Ibrahim said.

NAN reports that the highlight of the symposium was a photo exhibition that shows the history of war and honored hero’s who lost their lives defending their country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen