The China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) held a symposium Wednesday in commemoration of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, fought from 1950 to 1953.

General Chai Chengwen, CIISS's senior advisor and former chief liaison officer of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army during the war, said at the symposium that the war was a just one for the Chinese people to fight against invasion, defend the newly founded People's Republic of China and safeguard peace of the world.

China's victory in the war greatly encouraged the peace-loving people of the world and established a responsible and just national image of China in the international community, Chai said.

He pointed out that the patriotism and heroism demonstrated in the war has inspired all Chinese people.

Participants in the symposium all agreed that 50 years after the war, it is of utmost importance for all Chinese to carry forward the revolutionary heroism and brave traditions, make greater contribution to the nation's modernization and unification process, maintain peace of the world and boost common development.

Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and director of CIISS chaired over the symposium.

The symposium was attended by nearly 100 participants including former veterans of the war, generals and diplomats as well as experts and scholars specializing in international strategic studies.

(People's Daily 10/18/2000)