Chinese Ambassador Urges Global Commitment to UN Principles and Collective Stand Against Unilateralism
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has called on the international community to uphold the foundational principles of the United Nations, oppose unilateral actions, and ensure that the atrocities of fascism are never repeated.
Speaking in Abuja during a special screening of the film Dead to Rights, the envoy commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global fight against fascism during World War II.
Dead to Rights recounts the horrors of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, a grim chapter in history where Japanese troops killed over 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war in a brutal six-week campaign. Ambassador Yu described it as “one of the darkest chapters in modern world history” and emphasized the importance of remembering such tragedies to prevent history from repeating itself.
“During the 14-year resistance, over 35 million Chinese citizens were killed or injured,” Yu stated. “China made significant sacrifices and historic contributions to the global victory over fascism and the restoration of peace and international order.”
He underscored that the anniversary is not just a moment for mourning, but a time to renew global commitments to peace and multilateralism. “The best way to honor the victims is to cherish and protect peace, and to strengthen international cooperation,” he said.
Warning against rising historical revisionism and global instability, the ambassador stressed the need for nations to remain vigilant. “We must not allow the tragedy of fascism to happen again. The international community must continue to uphold the UN Charter, resist unilateralism, and maintain the norms of international law.”
Recounting the events leading up to the Nanjing Massacre, Yu noted, “Japan, driven by militarism, began its war of aggression against China in 1931. On December 13, 1937, Nanjing fell to Japanese forces, triggering a massacre that became a lasting scar in our national memory. The film we are about to watch revisits this history—reminding us of the dangers of forgetting.”
The ambassador also highlighted China’s role as the main Eastern front in the global war against fascism, pointing to the country’s 14-year resistance and enormous human and economic losses. “Our sacrifice crippled Japanese expansionism and contributed decisively to global peace,” he said. “We are here today to remember that victory, to pay tribute to the fallen, and to look forward—guided by the lessons of history.”
He called for renewed dedication to a fair and just international system: “Let us protect the hard-won outcomes of WWII. At this pivotal moment, we must recommit to the international system with the United Nations at its core and work together for a global order rooted in equity, justice, and international law.”
Yu also emphasized Nigeria’s vital role in this shared vision, noting that China and Nigeria, as two leading voices of the Global South, share common goals of justice, development, and mutual respect. He stressed that their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership should continue to flourish through deeper political engagement, cultural exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties.
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador highlighted the power of cinema as a tool for historical education and emotional resonance. “Films can convey history in a way textbooks often cannot. By watching, remembering, and reflecting, we reaffirm our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to build a more peaceful world.”
