Héribert-Label Elisée Adjovi – President of the Xi’an Group for Sino-African Cooperation and Development
Memories of the past, deep emotions, and a shared commitment to building a community of shared destiny for humanity—such was the spirit of the commemorative seminar marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This historic event took place at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cotonou on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The height of barbarity! That was the sentiment widely shared by distinguished guests at the cultural event organized by the Embassy of China in Benin. The objective: to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Held in four phases at the Chinese Cultural Center, the seminar was themed: “Keep History in Mind, Cherish Peace, and Build a Better Future Together.” Eighty years after Japan’s official surrender in the historic city of Nanjing, Chinese and Beninese authorities, along with Friends of China in Benin, revisited photo exhibits recalling the horrors of war, the heroic march of the Chinese people to final victory, and China’s early participation in international forums (Bandung, Geneva, New York, etc.).
It was a moment of emotion, followed by many others, especially through the keynote speeches. The first speaker was Shen Si, Minister Counselor and Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy. “With 35 million victims and economic losses amounting to approximately 600 billion dollars, China paid a heavy price during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which was an integral part of the World Anti-Fascist War.” He took the opportunity to share a personal family story linked to this painful past: “My grandmother was born in 1920. She is now 105 years old. Thanks to New China, she is still alive and living happily… She told me that almost every night, her father would hide her under the bed, because Japanese soldiers would break into civilian homes at night to harass, humiliate, abuse, and violate young girls…” The war lasted from 1931 to 1945. “Fourteen years may seem insignificant in the history of humanity, but for millions of Chinese like my grandmother, it was their youth. In those dark years, they lost their youth, their beautiful season, their best time.” Shen Si continued: “To forget history is to betray it. The lessons of the past remind us that humanity’s destiny is deeply interconnected. Only equal respect, peaceful coexistence, and solidarity among all nations and peoples can safeguard our collective security, eliminate the causes of war, and prevent the tragedies of history from repeating.” In today’s context, where humanity once again faces the choice between peace and war, he emphasized that President Xi Jinping has successively launched the Global Development Initiative (2021), the Global Security Initiative (2022), the Global Civilization Initiative (2023), and most recently, the Global Governance Initiative (during the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held on August 31 and September 1 in Tianjin, China). The Chargé d’Affaires also praised the fraternal ties between China and Benin, which date back 80 years. “Today, the strategic Sino-Beninese partnership is thriving. China firmly supports Benin’s efforts to safeguard its national security. China is ready to work hand in hand with Benin to implement the key consensuses of our leaders and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, in order to jointly contribute to building a peaceful and secure world.”
Next to speak was Amour-Marie Ako, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin. He noted that, like China, Benin is committed to the diplomatic tradition rooted in the UN Charter, promoting peace and international security through the right of peoples to self-determination, peaceful conflict resolution, and multilateralism. While “the determination of the Chinese people, through resilience and solidarity, overcame Japanese aggression,” Benin also contributed to the war effort under the pejorative label of “Senegalese Tirailleurs,” fighting alongside the Allies in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. “This commemoration is a moment of universal remembrance,” said Amour-Marie Ako. “No nation, regardless of its power, can preserve world peace alone.” In the spirit of a “community of shared destiny for humanity,” Benin and China cooperate in multilateral peacekeeping operations and work together on bilateral security initiatives. The Beninese diplomat paid tribute to the People’s Liberation Army of China, which celebrated its 98th anniversary on August 1, 2025—coinciding with Benin’s 65th independence anniversary. On behalf of the Republic of Benin, he welcomed the strategic partnership established since President Patrice Talon’s state visit to Beijing from August 31 to September 3, 2023. This cooperation has expanded across multiple sectors. In health, for example, the Chinese medical ship “Peace Ark” docked in Cotonou to provide free care to over 8,000 Beninese citizens during the “Harmony Mission 2024,” held from October 17 to 24, 2024. In security and defense, Benin benefits from Chinese expertise in equipment and training, with capacity-building for troops both in China and in Benin, in response to terrorist threats. Finally, Amour-Marie Ako expressed satisfaction that both countries are working more closely under the Global Security Initiative, through a "shared commitment to peace, to uphold the spirit of cooperation, and to ensure that the horrors of the past never happen again."
Representing Louis Gbèhounou Vlavonou, President of the National Assembly of Benin currently on an official visit to China, Member of Parliament David Godonou Houinsa paid a heartfelt tribute to the Chinese people during this moment of remembrance. “China is one of the pillars of the international order born out of the Second World War. Peace is never won once and for all. It must be earned day by day. It is secured through vigilance. Forgetfulness opens the door to drift and tragedy.” He firmly believes that no country can face today’s challenges alone. “Cooperation must prevail over confrontation… The diversity of our friendship is the source of our strength.” He advocates for a balanced openness to all actors on the global stage—a prerequisite for building “a fairer, safer, and more united world.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Bio-Yiro Gildas, representing the Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic in charge of National Defense, also praised the initiative of the commemorative seminar marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. “This is a history that must not be forgotten, just as we must not forget the brave sons of Benin who were enlisted among the ‘Senegalese Tirailleurs’ to fight alongside the Allies in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, and who gave their lives for the victory.” He called upon the collective conscience: “We must learn from history to build peace… History must never be forgotten. Peace and cooperation are the foundations of a better future.” In this regard, the strategic Sino-Beninese partnership is exemplary, and Benin’s public defense and security forces can attest to a cooperation based on equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs.
On behalf of the presidential majority party “Progressive Union – Renewal,” MP Aké Natondé sees in the Chinese people's victory over Japanese forces and fascism “the power of nations united in defense of universal values of dignity and peace.” “A people that remembers is a people that protects itself from repeating the mistakes of the past.” He expressed admiration for China’s modernization and the breadth of Sino-Beninese cooperation, spanning infrastructure, energy, health, agriculture, and education. He has visited China twice—once in March as part of a parliamentary mission invited by the Communist Party of China, and previously in 2012 as part of an academic delegation. Each time, he witnessed the construction of a modern China marked by “economic progress, technological innovation, and openness to the world” under the leadership of the Communist Party. His colleague from the “Republican Bloc,” Dr. Beaugard Koupaki, recalled that through its heroic resistance, “China prevented Japan from expanding its military beyond Asia.” He emphasized the historical lessons for youth: “A people confronted by a powerful force can resist and triumph. The memory of resistance builds strength. China was the first front of the anti-fascist war starting in 1931. Its people resisted for 14 years and understood that the fight for freedom is never in vain, even when it demands sacrifice.”
Professor Moktar Adamou, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Parakou, highlighted “the symbol of bravery and remembrance of the fallen,” and advised: “We must preserve peace and development, defend multilateralism, expand mutual cooperation, reject isolation, and offer a collective response to global challenges.” Yu Yang, representative of Chinese enterprises in Benin, also shared the conviction that “remembering helps us not forget. Peace must be built through development.” Thirty-four major Chinese companies and many others are present in Cotonou for Sino-Beninese co-prosperity, particularly in telecommunications, construction, agriculture, and trade. “These companies, beyond their core sectors, contribute to building the China–Benin community of shared destiny through education, health, community development, and environmental protection.” He issued a call: “Let us move forward hand in hand and write better chapters of Sino-Beninese cooperation.”
“We remember history to build the future. Even while living abroad, our hearts remain tied to our homeland.” These were the words of Shi Yajuan, President of the Association of Chinese Nationals in Benin, who affirmed that commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is “a duty of remembrance—to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs and continue building peace and development through solidarity and mutual support.” As messengers of Sino-Beninese friendship, her association offers legal advice, language support, cultural festivals, economic and trade meetings, and charitable activities to the Chinese community in Benin and Friends of China. The emotional highlight of the evening was the screening of the film “The Eight Hundred,” directed by Guan Hu in 2020. The film recounts the true story of over 800 Chinese soldiers who held out in a warehouse in Shanghai in 1937, resisting Japanese forces during the anti-fascist battle in the city. A patriotic blockbuster, the film portrays their fierce struggle and heroism, and achieved major success at the Chinese box office. A successful commemorative evening is never complete without a good dinner. The seminar, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Benin at the Chinese Cultural Center, upheld tradition. Photos, speeches, and the film nourished memory and reflection, echoing the theme: “Keep history in mind, cherish peace, and build a better future together.” Chinese gastronomy fortified the body and reinvigorated the spirit, as the audience joined in chorus: Never again!