Botswana, China kick off 50th anniversary celebrations
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 8, 2025 15:29
Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Fan Yong, pointed out the deepening relationship between the two nations, emphasising that the bond has grown steadily over the years, and continues to flourish.
“Some Chinese nationals live and work here, while others have established businesses that are creating jobs for Batswana,” said Ambassador Yong. “Our cultures even share certain similarities. Moving forward, we’re committed to generating more employment opportunities, particularly by supporting the growth of Botswana’s film industry, ' he added.
He also noted that in China, film is a powerful tool used to tell stories, not only about past struggles and achievements but also to inspire hope for the future. In addition, he said film has the unique ability to reflect where a nation has been, what it has overcome, and even what it aspires to become.
“At this important historic juncture, the Chinese Embassy in Botswana hosts a thematic film event today (Thursday) for people from all walks of life to remember history, honour fallen heroes, cherish peace, and inspire the future. World War II was an unprecedented catastrophe in human history,” he pointed out.
Furthermore, he said flames of war spread across five continents, drawing in more than 80 countries and regions and inflicting immense damage. “Film has the unique ability to reflect where a nation has been, what it has overcome, and even what it aspires to become,” he added.
He, however, said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti- Fascist War, in addition to the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan to its motherland China and the founding disaster upon human civilisation. Moreover, he said the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a crucial Component of the World Anti-Fascist War, and China served as the main eastern theater of that war.
The ambassador said that facing the barbaric aggression of Japanese militarism and an unparalleled national crisis, the Chinese people waged an arduous and bitter struggle against the Japanese invaders, defeated the utterly vicious Japanese militarist aggressors, and achieved the great victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese.
He said this not only changed the destiny of China but also made an indelible contribution to world peace and development. However, he said at the darkest hour of the Second World War, China and other peace and justice-loving nations fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression.
The film to be screened today, 'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,' is said it be based on a true event from WWII and commemorates the great, dauntless spirit of the people of all nations during the war.
He said to watch this film and revisit this moving story, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which holds a particularly special and important significance.
The ambassador said Africa was a key battleground and reliable overseas base for anti-Fascist allies during WWII. He said about 1.5 million people from over 30 African countries joined the frontlines, and approximately 2.5 million Africans supported logistics, supply, and military engineering missions.
“In the fight for national liberation and independence of Southern Africa, the Chinese and African peoples supported each other through thick and thin and forged an unbreakable friendship,” he said.