The Chinese Embassy in Juba held a Chinese movie screening event on Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The victory in the two wars refers to China’s role and triumph in World War II, particularly in the fight against Imperial Japan, and how it aligned with the broader global victory over fascism.
Speaking to reporters in Juba, Ma Qiang, the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, said the screening also included a movie titled “The Hundred Regiment Battle.”
Ambassador Qiang said the event is organised to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s war against the Japanese resistance and the world anti-fascist war.
“In this way, we just want to tell people that lessons should be learned from history and guide our future so that we can never repeat the mistakes we’ve made in the past,” he said. “So that together we should cooperate and work to build a community with a shared future for mankind. That is the main message.”
For his part, Prof. Robert Mayom, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, said the Chinese movies teach South Sudanese that to get freedom, you must be united, and that is how the Chinese were able to defeat an army of Japan, which was so powerful at that time.
“So, unity is important. War is good because it teaches us that certain things might not be done. People die in a war, and it is important that you make sure that you don’t start a war because so many people are going to suffer,” he stated. “And the Japanese did devastation, but because of the commitment of the Chinese, they were able to resist them. We have had a very strong relationship with the Chinese ambassador. They have been providing us with a lot of things. And so this is a series of some of the collaborations with them.”
“We appreciate the fact that they were able to bring this film for screening on the campus, and we hope that more will be done as time goes on,” Mayom added.
Meanwhile, Maboch Mayuek Mel, a literature student at the University of Juba, said the movie screening taught him that people should embrace patriotism to secure the country from invasion.
“The move also taught us solidarity when you have solidarity you will have to be supporting one another especially in the battle of the northern China during the invasion of the Japanese it also taught us the spirit of courage and this is what made them defeat the enemy even if they suffered they had to make sure they reinforce themselves to achieve victory,” he said.