Dubai –
A symposium titled “Lebanese Friends and China’s Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” was recently held in Hamana, Lebanon. Attendees included Hamana Mayor Amin Labus, Dr. Joe Haidem, a representative of Dr. Mahaid’s family, Anton Marwan, Chairman of the Lebanese-Chinese Friendship Association, and Warif Kumaiha, President of the Lebanese-Chinese Silk Road Dialogue Association.
Hamana is the ancestral home of Dr. George Hatem, an international communist fighter. Born on September 26, 1910, in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Hatem was a compassionate man who, in November 1933, decided to travel to China to practice medicine. Witnessing the atrocities of the war of aggression against China and the selfless dedication and shared suffering of the Red Army led by the Chinese Communist Party, he resolutely joined the Red Army and devoted himself to the just cause of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Dr. Hatem spent 55 years in China, dedicating his wisdom and energy to the liberation and construction of the Chinese people with a noble internationalist spirit and superb medical skills. He was the first foreigner to join the Communist Party of China and the first foreign citizen to become a naturalized Chinese citizen after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The symposium. Photo provided by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon
In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Chen Chuandong expressed his deep appreciation for Dr. Ma Haide’s internationalism and humanitarianism in Hamana, his love for both Lebanon and China, and the profound friendship of the residents of Hamana and the Lebanese people toward the Chinese people. He also felt the preciousness of peace and the responsibility of defending the post-war order. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Human civilization once again stands at a crossroads. We must draw profound lessons from the war, resist the tide of a return to the law of the jungle in international relations, uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, promote the shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Chen Chuandong stated that China and Lebanon, and their peoples, have long enjoyed friendship and mutual assistance, setting a precedent for sincere treatment and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries and civilizations. Currently, China-Lebanon relations face new and important opportunities. He welcomed friends from all walks of life in Lebanon to participate in the mutually beneficial and win-win practical cooperation and the exchange of mutual learning and mutual benefit between civilizations.
Delegates at the meeting expressed that Mahaid is the pride of the Lebanese people and a symbol of Lebanese-Chinese friendship. The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression carries with it the profound reflection of all mankind on the lessons of war and its earnest hope for lasting peace. Through unremitting efforts, China has become a key force in maintaining world peace and stability.
Haytham Mouzahem also contributed to this article
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