2015 marks historic juncture to reflect on past, look to future: Xi

BOAO, China, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that this year marks a historic juncture to reflect on the past and look to the future.

The world commemorates in 2015 the 70th anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascist War, the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the founding of the United Nations, Xi noted in a keynote speech at the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

With the days of global colonialism and the Cold War long gone, countries are now increasingly interconnected and interdependent, Xi said, adding that countries are now in a better position to uphold general stability in the world and seek common development.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference and will witness the completion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community, Xi noted.

Asian countries have gradually come up with an Asian way of cooperation in the course of advancing regional cooperation, which features mutual respect, consensus building and accommodation of each other's comfort levels, the Chinese president said.

More and more Asian countries have found their development paths that suit their own national conditions and embarked on a fast-track of economic growth, he said.

Asia still faces numerous challenges, among which some are the old issues left over from history and others are new ones associated with current disputes, Xi said.

As Asia is confronted with various traditional and non-traditional security threats, it remains an uphill battle for Asian countries to grow the economy, improve people's livelihood and eliminate poverty, he said.

In his remarks, the Chinese president also paid high tribute to late Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who Xi lauded as a strategist and statesman respected across the world, and all those who made great contributions to Asian peace and development.

China and Russia have both decided to hold a military parade later this year to celebrate their respective victories in the war against the fascist Axis powers.

Britain, the United States and France have all planned to hold various events to mark the end of a war that took millions of lives.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to give a highly sensitive speech this summer on Japan's wartime aggression. The international community has been urging him to face history squarely and take up due historical responsibilities.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China's commemorative events are for memorizing history, learning from history and exploring effective ways to maintain peace and security in the world against the new backdrop.