UN photo exhibit focuses on WWII

Pictures document victory over Japan and founding of United Nations

A new photo exhibition was unveiled on Monday at the United Nations, documenting China's involvement in the Second World War, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japanese aggression, as well as the founding of the United Nations.

"Seventy years ago the Chinese people, through painstaking struggle and enormous sacrifices, ultimately defeated the atrocious aggression of Japanese militarism and won its first complete victory over foreign invasion in modern Chinese history," said Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN.

"The photos on display will fade over time, but the indomitable strength, the exceptional valor, the unyielding resilience hereby shown will remain the most valuable asset of the Chinese people. The victory, as noted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, shattered the Japanese militaristic plot to enslave and colonize China," he said.

The exhibition documents China's resistance war against Japan, Japan's invasion of China, and China's participation in the alliance against fascism.

Photos are broken down into three parts, first documenting China as the main theater of the Anti-Fascist War in the East, then the nation's contribution to the formation of a united front against fascism and finally the victory against fascism and the founding of the UN.

"Over the seven decades since its founding, the United Nations has grown from 51 founding members to currently 193 member nations.

Peace and development have become the prevailing trend of our times. Yet the scourge of fascism sometimes resurfaces, which should put us all on alert. How do we learn lessons from the war and work to achieve enduring peace? These are perennial challenges for mankind. The responsibility rests with all nations of the world to work together and safeguard the outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War," one placard read.

Jan Eliasson, deputy secretary-general of the UN, said that WWII was an "unspeakable series of horrible events" both on the battlefield and affecting civilians to a degree that had never been seen in history.

"I hope people see the rise of the United Nations as a result of the dreams and aspirations of the people of the world to create a new world, a world that is characterized by untiring work for peace and development," he said at the exhibit's launch reception.

"The United Nations was created and came as a light of hope after this horrible dark period of history."

The exhibition was organized by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, the Ministry of Culture of China, the State Administration of China and Xinhua News Agency. It will be on display through Aug 28.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com