CMG Voice of China:

Today, many international friends and their descendants continue to commemorate and carry forward the historical memory of mutual assistance between Chinese and foreign military and civilians. My question is for Mr. Nikolai Vladimirovich Chuikov and Mr. Michael Crook: from the perspective of your family recollections, what special significance does preserving and passing on this history hold for promoting friendly exchanges between the people of China and other countries? Thank you.

Zhou Li:

Let's hear from Mr. Nikolai Vladimirovich Chuikov first.

Nikolai Vladimirovich Chuikov:

I believe that our gathering together today is a testament to friendship. We come together precisely because we value the shared history of our two countries and peoples. The Chinese are peace-loving people. Throughout their thousands of years of history, they have never launched an invasion against another country, only defending their motherland and homes against aggressors. Invaders bring immense suffering not only to the countries and peoples they attack, but also to their own people. We hope that tragedies like the Nanjing Massacre will never occur again.

President Putin and President Xi Jinping are very good friends. They respect each other, and their friendship has promoted closer people-to-people exchange. We know that foreigners often associate Chinese Kung Fu with Tai Chi, describing it as graceful, gentle, and elegant. In today's complex international landscape, China's diplomacy carries the same qualities — gentle, elegant, and full of charm.

Looking at the relationship between Russia and China, I see it growing ever stronger. "Seeking common ground while reserving differences" is ancient Chinese wisdom. My grandfather was once stationed in Germany nominated as a member of the first government of the Democratic Republic of Germany. Although he and his fellow generals entered Berlin as victors, he maintained warm relations with the German people for many years and made many German friends. He also fought alongside leaders such as France's Charles de Gaulle and America's Dwight D. Eisenhower. They were his comrades-in-arms in the World Anti-Fascist War.

Peace and cooperation are the path forward for the world. The fact that we are all gathered here today shows that our eyes are set on the future, and on peace. Thank you.

Zhou Li:

Thank you, Mr. Chuikov. Now let's invite Mr. Crook to answer this question.

Michael Crook:

Among the interviewees here today are Japanese, French, Russian, American, and me, a Briton. I grew up in China, and one phrase I often heard was "international friends." But what does it really mean? It seems as if only foreigners who helped Chinese people are called international friends, but I think that view is incomplete. There is a traditional Chinese virtue, expressed in the saying "To be patient even when others do not understand." My father fought in the World Anti-Fascist War, first joining the International Brigades in Spain. But how many Chinese people know that nearly a hundred Chinese joined the International Brigades to help the Spanish people fight against fascism? At that time, people in Yan'an were singing "Defend Madrid." On the Russian battlefield, many Chinese also participated in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. When the Chinese people suffered from fascist aggression, some foreigners with internationalist ideals came to its aid. In turn, many Chinese people also risked their lives to help the people of other countries. I believe that these are stories that deserve to be told more widely.

China is now a strong nation and can play a significant role on the international stage. To my knowledge, most Chinese troops serving abroad are in United Nations peacekeeping missions. When tensions arise, China often steps in to mediate. Its work in peacekeeping is a major contribution China makes to the world. I believe China can set an example for others. I hope that in the future, when the term "international friends" is mentioned, people will also be able to name some Chinese people who have helped others abroad and embodied the spirit of international friendship. In fact, there were already many examples from the very beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when the country was still underdeveloped. China helped Tanzania build railways and sent medical teams to Africa. These are genuine acts of international friendship. Now that China is growing stronger, I hope it will continue to play a positive role in safeguarding peace. Thank you.

Zhou Li:

Thank you, Mr. Crook. And thank you to all five guests for joining us at the media center today to share their thoughts. Let us once again pay our highest respects to the international friends who made sacrifices and contributions to Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Chinese people will forever remember their inspiring deeds and noble character, and will continue to carry forward their spirit, safeguard the peace they helped create, and work toward a better future. Thank you again to our five international friends. This concludes today's press conference. Thank you.

Translated and edited by Liu Caiyi, Yan Bin, Liao Jiaxin, Liu Ziying, Xu Kailin, Wang Mengru, Zhu Bochen, Cui Can, Mi Xingang, Wang Yanfang, Liu Sitong, Ma Yujia, Gong Yingchun, Li Xiao, Liu Qiang, Zhou Jing, David Ball and Tudor Bentley Finneran. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.