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| Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (center), Communist Party of China Central Committee’s United Front Work Department Head Sun Chunla n (third right, front row) and Zhang Xiaoming (third left, front row), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, have their photo taken with war veterans at the General Meeting of “Hong Kong Various Sectors Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Chinese People’s Victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Retrocession of Taiwan” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday. (Provided to China Daily) |
A generation which knows nothing of war must recognize the strong relationship between continued prosperity and national security, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Monday.
Leung told a gathering honoring the sacrifices of the generation which defied Japan’s war of aggression that Hong Kong shares a common destiny with the nation today as it had during the war.
Final victory against Japanese aggression had been the common desire of all Chinese, Leung stressed. He described the city’s three years and eight months under Japanese occupation as one of the darkest periods in Hong Kong history.
But final victory over the Japanese was not just about expelling a foreign invader, he said. It was the first time China broke free from a period of prolonged foreign oppression. This had been forced on the nation through unequal treaties signed by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) which had left China open to exploitation by Western powers.
Leung said contemporary Hong Kong must understand that national security remains a prerequisite for the SAR’s prosperity, stability and safety. This was vital for ensuring the nation’s territorial integrity and also for protecting its core interests.
“We must keep this in mind: Hong Kong also has the responsibility to safeguard national security,” he said.
A common defense of national interests would transcend any obstacles. Any differences could be resolved to achieve a new sense of national solidarity, said Sun Chunlan, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Sun urged the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan youth to remember their families’ common struggle for peace. They should therefore engage in the nation’s economic and political development.
Leung said the post-war generation had not forgotten the lessons of the war. This could be seen in the remarkable contribution it made to economic growth during peace time.
He said they recognized the relationship between people and nations. Patriotism was still important to ensure peace in a world plagued by war.
tim@chinadailyhk.com
