H.E. President Xi Jinping, Zhongnanhai,
174 Chang’an Avenue, Beijing.
People’s Republic of China.
Your Excellency,
Re: 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War
We at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, and I personally, are highly honoured to salute, congratulate and join you and the great, sister people of the People’s Republic of China as you celebrate the 80th anniversary of this historic victory.
It is with unequivocal conviction that we too confirm that nothing will ever diminish or obliterate the enormous contribution made by the Chinese people to secure victory during the World Anti-Fascist War.
The defeat of Japanese Aggression not only rewarded the people of China with peace and national independence but also created the possibility for the peoples of the world to inherit a country, the People’s Republic, which would make an invaluable contribution to the noble goal of promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
On the happy day of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of that victory against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, we too, like the Chinese people, look forward to a world of justice for humankind informed by the perspective of – bearing history in mind, honouring martyrs, cherishing peace, and striving for a better future.
The enormous sacrifices the Chinese and other peoples made for the world to emerge victorious from the World Anti-Fascist War created the possibility for the creation of a new world order characterised by such institutions as the United Nations Organisation, with its very important UN Charter, which held out the promise of a better future for all humanity.
Despite all the challenges which have emerged despite this promise, we remain optimistic about the future, inspired by Your Excellency’s and China’s insistence that mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation are the right way forward in terms of guaranteeing the world order for which millions, including in China, laid down their lives.
Please accept, Your Excellency, our heartfelt congratulations on the celebration of the said 80th anniversary, our best wishes for the further progress of the People’s Republic, and the assurance of our highest esteem and respect.
Thabo Mbeki.
Patron.