China News Service, Manila, April 4 (Reporter Zhang Xinglong) On the 3rd, Zhou Zhiyong, the charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, led some diplomats from the embassy to pay homage to the anti-Japanese overseas Chinese martyrs in Manila. Lu Zuyin, chairman of the Philippine Overseas Chinese Charity Association, Lu Shuiya, a veteran of the Philippine Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Detachment (Chinese Branch), Li Xiangzhao, president of the Chinese Branch Descendants Association, Shi Dongfang, chairman of the Philippine Chinese Business Federation, and executive vice chairman of the Philippine Chinese Federation of All walks of life Zhao Qiping, Vice President of the China Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Shi Yongjia and other overseas Chinese leaders attended the memorial event.
Zhou Zhiyong and his party laid wreaths at the Memorial and Tombs of the Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Martyrs in the Philippines, paid high respect to the Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Martyrs and Anti-Japanese Veterans in the Philippines, and paid tribute to the Philippine Overseas Chinese Charity Association, the Chinese Descendants Federation and other groups for their long-term efforts to maintain relevant commemorations. He expressed his gratitude for the hard work put into the facility and donated renovation funds to the Overseas Chinese Yishan and the Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall.
The picture shows Zhou Zhiyong presenting flowers to the heroes. Photo by reporter Zhang Xinglong
Zhou Zhiyong pointed out that China and the Philippines are separated by a narrow strip of water and their people-to-people exchanges span thousands of years. Throughout the long history, the vast number of overseas Chinese in the Philippines have fought bloody battles side by side with the Filipino people, making indelible contributions and making huge sacrifices for the cause of Philippine national independence and liberation. During World War II, the passionate Filipino-Chinese men, represented by the Hua Zhi, shed their lives and blood, shared the same hatred with the Filipino people, and fought tenaciously against the Japanese invaders. History will never forget their heroic deeds, and the people of China and the Philippines will never forget them.
Zhou Zhiyong said that the Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation, and peace is one of the most prominent features of Chinese civilization. China and its neighboring countries are neighbors that cannot be moved away. It is the common aspiration of countries in the region to build Asia, our common home, well. China-Philippines relations are currently at a critical crossroads. We hope that the Philippines will return to the right track of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, meet China halfway, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and the overall interests of China-Philippines relations. It is hoped that the vast number of overseas Chinese in the Philippines will inherit and carry forward the heroic spirit of the revolutionary ancestors, actively tell the touching stories of China-Philippines friendship, and continue to contribute to the healthy and stable development of China-Philippines relations.
Some diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and representatives of the Chinese community took a group photo in front of the "Monument to the Anti-Japanese Martyrs of Overseas Chinese in the Philippines". Photo by reporter Zhang Xinglong
Representatives of Filipino-Chinese groups participating in the event said that they will always remember the historical contributions of the martyrs for China-Philippines friendship, let their precious heroic spirit be carried forward in the new era, and are willing to join hands with the Philippine people to safeguard the hard-won peace and jointly maintain prosperity and development of China and the Philippines. (over)