Commemorate Bethune

Author: Wang Yan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, rereading these stories from just 60 years ago and remembering these people with noble spirits is a very important matter. People continue to cherish and admire the international friends who aided China. People will never forget the international personnel who fought alongside us during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Peace between humans will never return to war; it is our beautiful wish. But the sword of war still hangs over our heads. Only vigilance and strength can prevent history from repeating itself. "The eyes of millions of freedom-loving Canadians, Americans, and British people are gazing eastward, watching with admiration as the democratic Japan of the East engages in glorious competition. The equipment in this hospital was provided by your foreign comrades. I have been sent as their representative, and I feel immense honor. Don't wonder why someone like me, so far away across the globe, is helping you. We are all internationalists. No racial, skin color, language, or national boundaries can separate us. Fascism threatens world peace, and we must defeat them. They are obstructing humanity's great, historic progress toward socialism. It is precisely because workers in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as those who sympathize with them, understand this that they are now helping China to defend this beautiful and lovely country. I admire the courage and spirit of the wounded soldiers of the Eighth Route Army and guerrillas, who never complain. For these people, we can only repay them with the greatest care, love, and technology. Because they fought and were injured for us, not only to save China today but also to realize the great, free, and classless new China of tomorrow. That new China, though we may not live to see it, is important that we and they are using our actions today to help bring it into being, making that new republic possible!"—Hao Qiu'en
The War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression by the Chinese people received support from many international friends who loved peace. When the Chinese people were in their most difficult times, many international friends came to China, to the Jin-Cha-Oi Anti-Japanese Base Area. Some even sacrificed their lives for the liberation cause of the Chinese people. Hao Qiu'en was an outstanding representative among these international friends. For today's Chinese people, Hao Qiu'en seems distant. But the numerous real, three-dimensional images of Hao Qiu'en captured by Sha Fei from June 1938 to November 1969 still feel fresh and passionate today. As a professional photographer for the Jin-Cha-Oi Base Area, Sha Fei used his camera to record countless unforgettable and eternal moments for us.