The “Shanghai Green Ode to Peace” commemorative event is held in Shanghai on November 22, 2025. Photo: Lu Ting/GT

 
The "Shanghai Green Ode to Peace" event was held in Shanghai on Saturday, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War through tree plantings and musical performances.

Nearly 300 people attended the event, including representatives of New Fourth Army veterans and their descendants, descendants of Red Army soldiers and revolutionary martyrs, as well as family members of founding leaders and generals. They, or their ancestors, contributed to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression fighting  the invaders with sweat and blood to defend the homeland.

Eighty years ago, martyrs built a "steel Great Wall" against enemies with their lives; today, planting "peace trees" at the commemorative event is both a solace to them and a continuation of their ideals, as well as a vivid practice of advancing ecological progress, said Zhou Bingyi, niece of former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai, in her speech.

In an interview with the Global Times, Zhou said participating in such an event was moving, as she saw so many senior comrades and their descendants gather at the event. China's current prosperity fulfills Premier Zhou's wish "for the rise of China," and the spirit of wholeheartedly serving the people must be passed down through generations, she added.

Several nonagenarian veterans of the New Fourth Army, a then regular military force led by the Communist Party of China fighting against Japanese aggression, attended the event. Among them, 97-year-old Hui Ling joined the army at age 14. She recalled that as a young soldier, she followed her troops to many places to defend the homeland, and everyone took good care of her.

Hui said she was very happy and excited to take part in the commemorative event. "Seeing everyone value history and cherish peace brings me great comfort," she told the Global Times.

The Saturday event also included performances of songs, such as March of the Volunteers - China's national anthem, and the Yellow River Cantata, which once greatly encouraged the Chinese people during the difficult years of resistance against Japanese aggression.

During the tree-planting ceremony, participants planted "peace trees" - over 200 osmanthus saplings - in Shanghai's downtown Oriental Pearl Park. Descendants of some New Fourth Army veterans, founding generals, and contributors to Shanghai's development adopted the trees, symbolizing peace-taking root and the continuity of red revolutionary spirit.

The tree-planting session was hosted by Huang Lu, a descendant of revolutionaries and vice president of the Red Bloodline Inheritance Research Association, a co-organizer of the event. Huang said that saplings stand for life and hope, and planting them helps sow the seeds of peace in people's hearts. 

Amid today's complex international situation, where certain forces attempt to dilute or even distort their history of aggression, it is all the more necessary to speak out and show that the Chinese nation cherishes peace and will never forget its past, Huang told the Global Times on Saturday. "Only by remembering the past can we safeguard the happiness and security we enjoy today," she said.