NEW FACES: A 30-person group formed by Chinese Australians who called themselves Descendants of World War II Chinese Defense Force makes its debut on the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day on April 25 (CHEN CHEN)

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and it also happens to be the 100th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day (ANZAC Day).

An ANZAC Day parade was held in Sydney to honor all veterans on April 25, when a 30-person group formed by Chinese Australians named Descendants of World War II (WWII) Chinese Defense Force (DWCDF) made its debut in this event.

It was the very first time the offspring of the Chinese WWII veterans participated in this important public event. Their forebears fought against the Japanese invaders during WWII in which China was an ally to Australia. The members of DWCDF had different political background. Some had ties with the Eighth Route Army and the New Forth Army led by the Communist Party of China in the enemy-occupied regions, and some represented army of the Kuomintang Party fighting at the front line with the Japanese army. Japan invaded northeast China from 1931 followed by a full-scale aggression that started on July 7, 1937. Around 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or injured during the Japanese occupation, which continued until 1945.

In participation of the parade, the DWCDF members intended to convey such information to the Australian society that Chinese are peace-loving people who share the same values as their fellow Australians in anti-war activities. The dark history of the past should not be forgotten. People should learn from it and prevent wars from happening again.

In addition, these Chinese Australians tried to take the opportunity to promote mutual understanding among overseas Chinese.