Overseas Chinese commemorate WWII victory

China's commemorations of World War Two kicks off in Los Angeles for a performance of  "Yellow River Cantata". [Photo/CNTV]

China's commemorations of World War Two are not limited to Chinese soil, as a great assembly came together in Los Angeles for a performance of "Yellow River Cantata". The epic piece was performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of the war's conclusion.

If there is one orchestral composition that serves as a clarion call for Chinese the world over, it is "Yellow River Cantata". Composed by Xian Xinghai in 1939 - at the height of Japanese aggression in a foreign land - the cantata comprises four parts: Song of the Yellow River Boatmen, Ode To the Yellow River, Yellow River In Anger, and Defend the Yellow River.

Eighty performers from China, together with 300 chorus members from southern California, came together to commemorate the end of a cruel conflict.

"70 years ago, the Chinese people achieved a great victory in the war against Japanese Agression after eight years of arduous fighting. Though we are thousands of miles away from our home country, we still want to pay tribute to those who have fought for our country," said Lu Qiang, president of Roundatble of Chinese_American Organization.

"I'm thrilled to participate in this concert, hopefully there'll be more events like this," said a woman.

"Yellow River Cantata", inspired by a patriotic poem by Guang Weiran, continues to serve as a rallying cry for courage in the face of adversity but also an appeal for world peace.