The China Maldives Business Gateway Association (CMBGA) has joined China in commemorating the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, paying tribute to those who lost their lives and suffered during the conflict.
In a message issued on Thursday, CMBGA said the anniversary provides an opportunity to remember the human cost of war while reinforcing the importance of peace, unity and international cooperation.
The association said it stood with its Chinese friends in remembering the sacrifices made during the war, while looking towards a future centred on peace, shared prosperity and stronger relations between China and the Maldives.
September 3 is observed in China as Victory Day, commemorating the end of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the wider victory of the Allied powers over fascism in the Second World War.
Japan formally signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. China subsequently designated September 3 as the day commemorating its victory in the war.
China’s resistance to Japanese aggression stretched over 14 years, beginning with Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and developing into full-scale war in 1937. The conflict became a major theatre of the Second World War and resulted in enormous military and civilian casualties.
This year’s anniversary comes a year after China held major commemorations in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in 2025. President Xi Jinping used the occasion to emphasise peaceful development and called for efforts to prevent the tragedies of war from being repeated.
On Thursday, commemorative activities were again held in China to mark the 81st anniversary, with the occasion being used to remember those who fought and died during the conflict and highlight the importance of preserving peace.
For CMBGA, the anniversary also carries significance in the context of the longstanding relationship between the Maldives and China.
The Maldives and China established diplomatic relations in 1972, with bilateral ties expanding over the decades across trade, tourism, infrastructure, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
CMBGA works to promote commercial links and greater engagement between the business communities of the two countries, positioning itself as a platform for strengthening economic cooperation and connections between Maldivian and Chinese businesses.
In its commemorative message, the association said lessons from the past serve as a reminder that peace and cooperation should not be taken for granted.
CMBGA expressed hope that friendship between China and the Maldives would continue to strengthen, alongside greater shared prosperity between the two countries.
