Chinese American communities mark victory of anti-fascist fight at UN

Chinese and Asian American community members from across the New York area gathered on Friday at the United Nations Headquarters to mark the 80th anniversary of both the founding of the UN and victory in the global fight against fascism.

Themed "Remembering History and Protecting Peace Together", the event was organized by Asian American Community Empowerment (BRACE) and co-hosted by local Chinese and Asian American associations, with around 150 people attending.

During World War II, North Americans fought alongside the Chinese on China's battlefields to resist Japanese aggression. Among them, Chinese Americans played a key role — many returned to their homeland to join the fight, while communities in the United States contributed through donations of money and supplies.

BRACE chairman and event host John Chan reflected on the lessons history offers to people today: "As members of the Asian American community, we deeply understand the precariousness of peace," he said.

"It is the foundation that allows us to stand in a foreign land and live with a sense of security. We also understand the power of unity — people of different backgrounds and skin colors can only achieve lasting peace and prosperity through respect, understanding and cooperation.

"Peace is never to be taken for granted. It must be continuously safeguarded and passed on. Today's commemoration is not only to honor those who came before us but also to echo the call for justice and conscience.

"We need to pass on the flames of peace and gather the strength of friendship, and together protect this hard-won tranquility and development," Chan added.

New York State Assembly member Lester Chang also attended Friday's event, sharing the story of a veteran Flying Tiger who lived in New York's Chinatown.

"We have several members who were Flying Tigers themselves," he said.

"Unfortunately, all passed away, but one of them lived to the age of 100. He was a Chinese interpreter in World War II, and many of our Chinese Americans served with the Flying Tigers as interpreters in China during the war."

Chang added that Chinese Americans played an important role during World War II, with around 25,000 Chinese Americans serving in the US military, the highest proportion of participation of any ethnic group.

In addition to Chinese American support for China and the USA' joint effort to resist fascism, China made enormous sacrifices in securing victory, keeping Japanese forces tied down on the Chinese front and giving the Allies crucial time to prepare their counteroffensive.

"For China, this war was exceptionally prolonged," said Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li.

"From the fall of Northeast China in 1931 to the surrender of the Japanese fascists, the Chinese people fought relentlessly for 14 years. Facing a brutal, well-equipped aggressor, the whole nation stood up. With the staggering cost of over 35 million military and civilian casualties, we resisted and pinned down more than half of Japan's main forces, building a new Great Wall with our flesh and blood."

Chen expanded on the wartime contributions of Chinese communities in the US: "During the war, Chinese communities across America spontaneously established thousands of salvation groups, advocating resistance against Japanese aggression, some even returning to fight for their mother country," he said.

"Records show that over 70 percent of Chinese fighter pilots were overseas Chinese, mostly from America."

He noted that Chinese people were not alone in their fight, as warships departed from New York Harbor for different battlefronts, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard worked around the clock.

"While contributing to victory, the American people forged deeper ties with China," he added.

"Through the Hump Airlift and the Stilwell Road, nearly one million tons of strategic supplies and tens of thousands of personnel reached Southwest China. The Flying Tigers defended nearly one-third of China's airspace. This friendship, forged on the battlefield, shall be treasured eternally by both our peoples.

"Though most have passed, their spirit must be carried forward."