Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday thanked the international community, including India, for assisting the Chinese people's war against Japanese aggression and pledged that Beijing will never seek hegemony.
"Having suffered bitterly from the scourge of war in modern times, the Chinese people are keenly aware of the value of peace," Hu said at a function to mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the anti-fascist war.
"The victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese aggression was inseparable from the sympathy and support of all the peace and justice-loving countries and peoples, international organisations and various anti-Fascist forces," he said at the function, telecast live from the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"The United States gave significant support to China's war efforts. The United Kingdom, France and other countries provided China with economic aid or entered into military cooperation with China. Anti-Fascist fighters from Korea, Vietnam, Canada, India, New Zealand, Poland, Denmark, and from Germany, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Japan as well, directly took part in China's war of resistance," Hu, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, said.
"On this solemn occasion, I would like to extend our sincere respects to all war veterans, patriots and commanders who took part in the war of resistance, and all Chinese at home and abroad who contributed significantly to the victory of the war, and to extend our heartfelt gratitude to foreign governments and friends that supported and assisted the Chinese people during the war," he said.
