The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has called on the international community to remain steadfast in upholding the principles of the United Nations, resist unilateralism, and ensure that “the tragedy of fascism is never repeated.”
Yu made the appeal in Abuja during a screening of Dead to Rights, a film dramatizing the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Describing the massacre—where Japanese forces killed over 300,000 civilians and soldiers—as “one of the darkest chapters in modern world history,” the envoy said remembrance must go beyond mourning. “The best way to honour their sacrifice is to cherish peace, protect peace, and strengthen international cooperation,” he said.
Yu highlighted China’s sacrifices during World War II, noting that over 35 million Chinese lost their lives or were injured, with direct economic losses exceeding $600 billion. He emphasized China’s historic contributions to defeating fascism and restoring world order.
Warning against historical revisionism and rising global instability, the envoy urged nations to uphold the UN Charter and international law. “At this critical juncture, it falls upon us to reaffirm our commitment to an international system with the United Nations at its core, steering the global order toward fairness, justice, and equality for all,” he stated.
He also underscored the role of Nigeria as a key partner in promoting peace and development, noting shared values between both nations as members of the Global South. Yu said their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership must be deepened through stronger political dialogue, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people cooperation.
“Cinema has the power to tell history in ways textbooks cannot. By watching, reflecting, and remembering, we reaffirm our shared humanity and collective responsibility to build a more peaceful world,” he added.
