More than 300 World War II veterans from around the world signed a
Peace Declaration and inaugurated a Peace Monument in
Beijing Friday, marking the 60th anniversary of China's
victory in
the
resistance war against Japanese aggression.
"Yesterday, We served in the armed Forces. Sixty years ago, we
experienced the Second World War. Today, We are survivors... Here
we declare our hopes: Love life. Cherish peace," the declaration
reads.
The declaration was engraved in Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish on a 100-meter-long wall, named as the Beijing
Peace Monument, set up in Chaoyang Park located in a central
business district in Beijing .
"We came this land in war fire from our country and fought with
brave Chinese people 60 years ago. We sacrificed to fight against
the fascist for the world peace," US veteran Alfred Gardner told
Xinhua.
"Now we come again 60 years later to contribute for the lasting
world peace," he said.
As participants and survivors of WWII, the veterans are warmly
welcomed in China and attending a series of commemorative
activities.
(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2005)