Ambassador Zheng Zeguang published an op-ed in the British newspaper The Guardian: China and the UK once fought together against fascist aggression, and today we can work together again.

15 August 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender. Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the United Kingdom, published an op-ed article titled ‘China and the UK once fought together against fascist aggression, and today we can still work together’ in the British mainstream media outlet The Guardian. Zheng Zeguang pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. This is not only a time to commemorate the heroic martyrs but also an opportunity to reflect on history and contemplate the present. During the darkest days of World War II, although China and the UK were on different battlefields, they shared the common mission of resisting fascist aggression and defending human justice. The bonds forged in the midst of war remain as strong as ever today. In today's turbulent world, China and the UK should revisit the original spirit of their strategic partnership, uphold mutual respect, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly safeguard the achievements of the World War II victory, and make new contributions to promoting world peace and development. The full text of the article is as follows:

China and the United Kingdom once fought together against fascist aggression, and today we can continue to work hand in hand.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. On 15 August at 12 noon, the United Kingdom held a two-minute silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan in World War II. This is not only a time to honour the fallen heroes but also an opportunity to reflect on history and contemplate the present. The bonds forged in the midst of war remain as strong as ever today.

During the darkest days of World War II, although China and the United Kingdom were on different battlefields, they shared the common mission of resisting fascist aggression and defending human justice. Countless lives were lost, cities were reduced to rubble, and families were torn apart. In the darkness, it was courage and unity that illuminated the path forward. The peoples of China and the United Kingdom fought side by side, forging a monument to freedom and justice through sacrifice and belief.

Chinese military and civilian personnel actively supported and assisted British forces on the Asian battlefield, making tremendous sacrifices. In 1942, the Chinese Expeditionary Force traversed over 1,500 kilometres through the jungles of Burma, successfully rescuing British forces besieged by Japanese troops. The campaign was costly, but it demonstrated China's unwavering commitment to the Allied forces.

During World War II, tens of thousands of Chinese sailors braved the harsh winds and waves of the Atlantic Ocean to transport fuel and supplies to British troops on the front lines, with many sacrificing their lives in the process. Their stories are largely unknown, yet they wrote a moving chapter in the history of victory.

One of the most touching moments occurred in October 1942, when the Japanese-controlled ship ‘Lisbon Maru,’ carrying over 1,800 British prisoners of war, was mistakenly sunk by a U.S. submarine. Fishermen from Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, braved Japanese gunfire to rescue 384 British prisoners of war.

President Xi Jinping noted in a reply to the families of the Lisbon Maru survivors that the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war by Zhoushan fishermen is an important testament to China and the United Kingdom fighting side by side as allies during the Second World War, and a historic tale of the deep friendship between the two peoples. In 2025, the documentary film ‘The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru’ was released in the United Kingdom.

The assistance and support provided by the British people to the Chinese people during the War of Resistance Against Japan are equally etched in historical memory. British citizens spontaneously formed various aid groups, raised funds and supplies for China, and actively supported the Chinese people in their fight against Japanese invaders. George Hock, a former journalist for the Manchester Guardian from the town of Hapton in the UK, travelled thousands of miles to China to establish schools, rescue orphaned children, and dedicate his youth, passion, and even his life to the cause of justice. The humanitarian spirit of Hock, who transcended national borders, is deeply etched in the hearts of the Chinese people.

This deep bond of solidarity continues to inspire the development of China-UK relations. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the UK share the important responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. The UK was the first Western major power to recognise the People's Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, friendly exchanges between the peoples of China and the UK have continued to develop. In 2024, the number of people travelling between China and the UK exceeded 1.2 million. There are currently 200,000 Chinese students studying in the UK. From 2013 to 2024, the total number of British students who have studied in China for short or long periods reached 50,000. In July this year, nearly 1,200 secondary school students from 62 schools in the UK came to China for study and exchange, experiencing firsthand the profound heritage of Chinese civilisation. Enthusiasm for dialogue and exchange between all sectors of Chinese and British society is growing.

Through joint efforts, China-UK relations have returned to a path of improvement and development. In today's turbulent world, both sides should revisit the original spirit of strategic partnership, seize the trend of mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold mutual respect, properly handle differences, and actively respond to the expectations of all sectors of both countries; We should earnestly implement the outcomes of institutional dialogue mechanisms such as the China-UK Strategic Dialogue, Economic and Financial Dialogue, and Energy Dialogue, eliminate interference and noise, expand channels of communication, and advance mutually beneficial cooperation; We should jointly fulfil international obligations, defend the achievements of the victory in World War II, uphold true multilateralism and the global trade system, work together to address global challenges such as climate change, and promote political solutions to regional hotspot issues, making new contributions to promoting world peace and development.

History has proven that China and the UK can achieve extraordinary accomplishments when they work together. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Chinese side is willing to work with the British side to carry forward the deep friendship forged between the two peoples during wartime, promote the spirit of unity and cooperation, let history illuminate the future, and pass on the torch of peace, benefiting both countries and their peoples, and bringing benefits to the entire world.