History’s Mirror and the Path Forward: Ambassador Qi Zhenhong Calls for Peace and Shared Respect at BMICH Commemoration

- By LeN Diplomatic Correspondent

(Lanka-e-News -26.Aug.2025,11.20 PM) In a solemn reception at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), His Excellency Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, delivered compelling remarks commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The event, attended by dignitaries including Minister Upali Pannilage, former President Maithripala Sirisena, and representatives from diplomatic and political spheres, underscored enduring Sino-Sri Lankan ties and the timeless value of peace

Honouring Sacrifice, Preserving Memory

Ambassador Qi opened his address by invoking the bitter memory of the fourteen-year-long struggle against fascism—a decisive crucible of justice against tyranny. He moved the audience to reflection, stating that erasure of the past equates to a second death of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. “Forgetting is to kill the fallen a second time, while remembering is the most sincere safeguard for peace,” he declared, invoking the moral imperative of historical memory

Lessons for Today’s Turbulent World

The Ambassador warned that the world remains fraught with instability. "Power politics and Cold War mentality still linger like ghosts," he said, urging that the hard-won peace must not be eroded by growing militarism or renewed hegemonic ambitions. His words resonated deeply: whether in "cold war, hot war, tariff war, or technology war, there will be no winners". He called for strengthening—not weakening—the authority of the United Nations as the guardian of global order.

Reflecting Diplomacy Through Shared Values

For Ambassador Qi, the commemoration was not only about retrospective admiration, but also about forging forward. Drawing a parallel between historical memory and contemporary cooperation, he remarked that “the mirror of history illuminates the future,” and encouraged deeper bilateral collaboration on infrastructure, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. This diplomacy in action—embodied by investments such as Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port—is “the most vibrant tribute to history… and the most solid foundation for peace

A Global Appeal for Unity and Justice

Qi’s remarks culminated in a universal call: let remembrance guide action, let cooperation be the vessel that carries humanity forward. “Let us jointly serve as guardians of historical memory, partners in development and revitalization, and defenders of international fairness and justice.” He invited Sri Lanka and the wider community to unite in preserving peace and promoting prosperity

Ambassador Qi’s speech was a measured blend of solemn remembrance and forward-looking resolve. In reminding the world of the catastrophic cost of unchecked aggression, he did more than honour the past—he rallied the present. The warning against “hegemonism and the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak” is particularly poignant amid rising geopolitical tensions. It is a rallying cry for a fair, inclusive, peaceful world order in which history is not erased, but remembered as a guidepost

Moreover, the event echoed the depth of China–Sri Lanka friendship—rooted in shared values and mutual respect, and expressed through projects that promise tangible benefits to Sri Lankans. Such bilateral engagement offers a concrete blueprint for using diplomacy, not dominion, to shape a better future.

As Sri Lanka marked this 80th anniversary, Ambassador Qi’s remarks reflected more than commemoration—they embodied a commitment: to peace, to justice, and to a future unscarred by the follies of war. Through the lens of history, he urged a collective recognition of our shared responsibility to guard the peace earned by the brave and to build a world worthy of their sacrifice.

By LeN Diplomatic Correspondent

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by     (2025-08-26 18:21:40)