Photo exhibit tells story of war's toll

Members of New York Northeastern Chinese Association gather in Flushing, New York, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. [Photo by Zheng Xin/China Daily]

A photo exhibition featuring more than 500 pictures from the Anti-Japanese War will be held in New York on Aug 15, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war's end.

On Aug 15, 1945, the Japanese Empire surrendered, bringing the hostilities of the World War II to a close.

"While we embrace the future, we should never forget or distort the history," said Gu Xinying, head of the New York Northeastern Chinese Association, one of several groups hosting the event.

"World War II … imposed severe misery to all mankind, especially those in Asia and Europe. The righteous struggle against the Japanese invasion has strengthened the Chinese national cohesion, and we should pass it to our future generations," Gu said.

More than 500 people are expected to attend the exhibition at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, Queens, from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

"The photo exhibition will help bring people back to the old days while enhancing the memories of the history, especially to the overseas Chinese," Gu said.

The theme of the exhibition is Learning from the History and Treasuring the Peace. Some Chinese veterans of the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945) will attend and relate their wartime experiences.

"It's a precious chance to have these veterans from China gather together in New York, since some of them are getting on in years," Gu said.

The event will be sponsored by the New York Chinese Business Association, the Alumni Association of the Huangpu Military Academy, the Chinese-American Planning Council, the Beijing Association of New York, the Heibei Chamber of Commerce, the Tianjin Commercial Association, the New York Shandong Association and the Henan Association of Eastern America.

"2015 is an important year in the history of international relations and in the Asia Pacific because it is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II," said Diana Gao, deputy head of the New York Northeastern Chinese Association.

"World War II was a very difficult period in the history for the Asia Pacific, and especially for China, and we should let the legacy live on."

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn