African journalists experience Chongqing vibes

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A delegation of African journalists who had just finished covering a major event on China-Africa cooperation in Beijing traveled to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to enjoy the charm of the mountainous city.

The three-day 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded in the Chinese capital on Friday. Some African journalists took advantage of being in China to learn more about the country. 

At Liziba Station, one of Chongqing's must-visit spots, these journalists were amazed by a surreal scene that light rail trains run through a residential building.

Thousands of people visit the site every day, not for the public transportation, but to take pictures of the railway line through a 19-story building. 

The journalists were curious about  the story behind the rail line, such as how does the government reduce the noise and maintain the railway without disturbing residents, and how much was invested to build the station.

"Many lessons to learn, many things to behold. It's amazing to see things made easy, soft touch. That's the kind of work we do. But I think we only desire that this be done in Africa. It's a desire that in our generation, our children will grow up to see what parents have really done to make life worth living. Kudos to China, kudos to concepts of modernization," said Fortune Egbeji Abang, a Nigerian journalist.

The delegation was also invited to a local teahouse for a rest since it was scorching hot in Chongqing.

The traditional long-spout teapot pouring performance and the Sichuan Opera's face-changing techniques clearly left a deep impression on these African guests.

"They really like their culture, and they protect their culture. And this is the message for me that I'm taking from now that it's better to protect your culture because as you can see we are here, so many people from African countries just to explore and see and experience about Chinese culture. And I think, because we, as African people, we have our own culture. And I think we are sharing now," said Abubakar Harithi Bakar, a Tanzanian journalist.

The reporters said they hope to use the visit as an opportunity to introduce Chongqing to audiences back home.

Through their lenses and articles, they say, they want to promote more cultural exchanges and understanding between China and Africa.

African journalists experience Chongqing vibes

More than 100 representatives of the Chinese-Filipino community and descendants of war veterans gathered at Manila's Chinese Cemetery on Tuesday to pay tribute to overseas Chinese who fought against the Japanese occupation during World War II.

The memorial ceremony was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and other officials of the embassy.

Among the attendees was 96-year-old Mike Lu, or Lu Shuiya, a veteran of the Philippine Chinese Anti-Japanese Guerilla Force, known as Wha-Chi in the Philippines. Every year during the Qingming Festival which falls on April 4 this year, he would visit the cemetery to honor his fallen comrades.

"We will not forget, the people will not forget, the motherland will not forget," said Lu in a speech.

Another veteran, 102-year-old Wang Chenli, also participated in the ceremony.

Alongside Ambassador Huang and other dignitaries, the two elderly fighters laid wreaths and bowed in remembrance at the monument dedicated to the Chinese resistance fighters.

Following Japan's occupation of the Philippines in 1942, overseas Chinese in the country set up resistance groups such as the Philippine-Chinese Anti-Japanese Force and the Philippine-Chinese Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces, and latter is also known as Wha-Chi.

Wha-Chi played an impressive role in the fight against Japanese aggressors in over three years of the occupation.

The unit killed, wounded, and captured more than 2,000 enemy troops, at a cost of 77 casualties among its own ranks. After the war, the Chinese-Filipino community erected multiple memorials to commemorate these wartime heroes.

"Many people do not know that the Chinese minority in the Philippines was very fearless and very consistent in resisting Japanese militarism during World War II. We should not forget the war history in order to preserve and uphold peace," said Wilson Lee Flores, a well-known columnist in the Philippines.

Chinese WWII resistance fighters in Philippines commemorated