60 years on war remembered (Aug. 15) 
cctv.com 08-15-2005 16:12
Welcome to our special coverage on the 60th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the Japanese.
Sixty years ago, the allied powers issued the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945 calling for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese air, naval and army forces throughout the Pacific Theater to cease active operations and admit defeat, or the whole nation of Japan will face total destruction. But it was not until after the two atomic bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the Soviet invasion and liberation of the colonialized Manchuria in Northeast China that Japanese Emperor Hiroshito decided to surrender unconditionally and terminate the war on August 15th 1945. The Chinese, nationalist and communist troops alike, joined hand in the 8-year national war of resistance and made a huge sacrifice in diminishing the Imperial Japanese army in the Chinese battlefields. 35 million Chinese lives were killed. The Nanking Massacre in December, 1937, alone, left 300 thousand civilians and defenseless soldiers dead. Today, issues of comfort women, chemical weapons and history textbooks continue to harm the bilateral relations. Japanese Prime Minister鈥檚 visits to the Yasukuni shrine have brought the Sino-Japanese political ties to the lowest nadir since normalization of the relations in 1971.
Today, 60 years after the unconditional surrender issued, CCTV.com provides you a online coverage to fully discuss consequences of the war, geo-politics and geo-economics in northeast Asia in the post-war period. We will also take a closer look at the traumatized Sino-Japanese political relations as well as Japan鈥檚 de facto isolation in this region due to the rise of right-wing forces in the island nation.
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60 years after Japanese surrender
It has been 60 years since Japan's invading army of two million, laid down its arms in China. Memorials and museums throughout the country are commemorating the end of China's resistance to the Japanese invasion.
On the northern outskirts of Beijing, a museum in the village of Jiaozhuanghu has opened to commemorate the resistance of the 1940's, when local guerrillas dug tunnels as part of their hit-and-run war against Japanese aggressors.
In East China's Shandong Province, hundreds of students joined former Red Army soldiers, to plant trees to commemorate victory in a key battle.
And in North China's Hebei province, a monument in memory of a battle between the Chinese army and Japanese invaders in 1933, was unveiled at the Xifengkou Gate of the Great Wall.
Son of Kuomintang General Tong Bing said: "It's been 72 years since the Battle of the Great Wall. Time has passed but the patriotic spirit remains and should be carried on."
In Shanghai, an exhibition of Japanese army atrocities during the Songhu Battle in 1937 is on show.
Survivor of the Songhu Battle Jin Zhaoqi said: "I witnessed those atrocities. All of us, especially the younger generations, should never forget history."
In Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, confessions written by ten Japanese war criminals in 1946, have been uncovered. They depict war crimes committed against Chinese people.
Japanese PM apologizes for WWII actions
The Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has apologized for Tokyo's wartime colonization and invasions in Asia. He pledged Japan would never forget the terrible lessons of the war.
In a written statement today, Junichiro Koizumi said Japan had caused tremendous damage and suffering to Asian countries because of its colonial rule and military aggression. The Japanese Prime Minister said Japan humbly accepted those historic facts, and wanted to express condolences to all victims of the war. He pledged that Japan is resolved to contribute to world peace and prosperity without starting a war again. The Cabinet approved Koizumi鈥檚 statement earlier today. Meanwhile, Japanese Emperor Akihito also expressed the hope that his country will never again wage war.
President Hu visits WW2 exhibition
Chinese President Hu Jintao has paid a visit to an exhibition marking the sixtieth anniversary of the end of World War Two. During the occasion, he called on the Chinese people to remember history, cherish peace and create a brighter future.
Titled "The Great Victory" -- the exhibition is being held in the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The site is located near Lugou Bridge in southwest Beijing.
President Hu first paid tribute to the "Wall of the Heroes". The sculptures there memorialize the Chinese fighters and martyrs in the War against Japanese Aggression.
In a solemn atmosphere, Hu Jintao looked carefully at the photographs, relics and old weapons on display at the show. Many of the items witnessed the Chinese armies' heroism on the battlegrounds during the war.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Hu hailed the exhibition as very timely and meaningful. He said these historical items remind all of us of the bitter experiences of the war. But also of the valiant efforts by the Chinese people and troops to fight back against the Japanese invaders -- and win victory in the end. He said that visiting the show would be an excellent learning experience for the Chinese of today, especially the youth.
Hu also emphasized that the Chinese people should always remember this period in history. And also cherish the peace today and work together for a brighter future.
HK & Taiwan residents remember war
In Hong Kong and Taiwan, ceremonies have also been held to mark the anniversary. Participants have demanded the Japanese government take history seriously and not distort it. They also expressed their hopes for world peace.
Residents of Taiwan sang an old song that was sung in the battlefields 60 years ago, to remember this piece of history.
Writer Sima Zhongyuan said: "You can't calculate the harm that Japanese troops brought us, because what they destroyed was the root of our culture, our booming economy and forcing people to leave their homes."
Retired General Hu Zhizhi said: "In the war, even though we won one day, we did not know whether we could survive tomorrow, but we didn't care. Finally, we witnessed the victory. When we gathered, we were not smiling and cheering, but crying."
New Party Chairman Yok Mo-ming later joined the ceremony. He said the Party will hold a performance Friday to mark the victory.
In Hong Kong, demonstrations and marches were seen along roads leading to the Japanese consulate. Waving signs calling on Japan to never forget the Nanjing massacre, marchers demanded Japan fulfill its post-war obligations.
Hong Kong Resident said: "We demand that militarism is uprooted. Second, they must take away banners from our Diaoyu Island. Third, they must shoulder their post-war obligations and compensate. And last, they shouldn't use the distorted history text books."
At the same time, protesters also expressed their hope for peace.
World marks VJ Day
The US, Australia and the UK are also marking the end of World War Two. Ceremonies were held 60-years after Japan surrendered.
In New York City, people gathered at Times Square to pay homage to a photo taken 60 years ago. The photo, entitled "V-J Day", captured the euphoria as crowds celebrated the Allied victory on August 14, 1945. A sculpture entitled "Unconditional Surrender" further immortalizes the unforgettable moment.
Also joining in the commemorations, on the deck of the USS Intrepid, hundreds of veterans remembered the day and paid tribute to the lives lost in World War Two.
In Australia, thousands of veterans and their families attended commemorations in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney. Australian Governor-General Michael Jefferey also paid tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives. Some veterans recalled their feelings when victory was announced in the celebrations.
Britain has also held various commemorations to mark V-J day and honor British veterans.
Overseas Chinese gather for celebration
Around the world, a slew of memorials are being held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two. In Washington, academics from the Overseas Chinese community have gathered to remember the Chinese people's victory against Japan. The participants all agreed on the need to remember history and safeguard world peace. During the gathering, the Chinese Ambassador to the US, Zhou Wenchong, said the war of resistance was won through the collaboration between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang.
The whole Chinese nation was involved, as well as overseas Chinese. It was a just war, and was important for the final outcome of World War Two.
Zhou added that the Chinese and American nations were brought together during the war. And that people would remember the enormous losses that the two nations suffered.
Participants agreed that people should not forget the atrocities committed by the Japanese forces and that people should guard against anyone glorifying war. They also highlighted the need to maintain and promote constructive Sino-US cooperation, which is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Many precious pictures depicting the war were displayed at the gathering, along World War Two movies.
Koreans join to celebrate liberation
Meanwhile in Seoul, a festival is being held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japanese occupation. About 50-thousand Koreans, including representatives from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended Sunday's grand opening ceremony. It marked the start of four days of joint celebrations.
The World Cup Stadium in South Korea's capital, Seoul.
In the VIP stands, nearly two hundred delegates from the DPRK arrived earlier on Sunday to attend the special event, named the "Independence, Peace, and Reunification Festival".
The four-day celebration highlights renewed exchanges between the two Koreas.
Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Standing Committee of the Worker鈥檚 Party, leads the DPRK delegation. Kim called on both countries to over come their differences.
South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young echoed these sentiments, saying the two sides should leave behind their bitter history, bring about sincere reconciliation and help each other.
The ceremony continued with a football friendly between the two Koreas. South Korea beat the DPRK 3-nil.
Various symbolic activities are planned for the DPRK delegation over the next four days. On Monday, they'll visit a prison constructed by the Japanese during their occupation.
Editor:Chen Source:CCTV.com
