China and the World Jewish Congress (WJC) will, for the first time, host an event in Shanghai to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Shanghai Ghetto and the end of World War II in China in September 1945.
The event, which will take place in September, was announced following a meeting in London between WJC CEO Robert Singer and the head of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Minister Qiu Yuanpin.
“China is one of the top players in international affairs, and it is in the best interests of world Jewry that we forge even closer relations with Beijing,” said Singer at the meeting.
The Shanghai Ghetto – formally known as the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees – was home to about 23,000 Jewish refugees in Japanese-occupied Shanghai until its liberation by the Chinese on 3 September 1945 at the end of WWII.
“We will commemorate, for the first time, part of the Holocaust that tends to get less attention,” said WJC President Ronald S.Lauder.. “This historic event also marks another step towards strengthening the bonds between the Chinese and Jewish people.”
Lauder will chair the event, which will include 100 WJC representatives from Jewish communities around the world, representatives of China and survivors of the Shanghai Ghetto.
“It is our shared duty to promote the mutual understanding, friendship, exchange and cooperation between the overseas Chinese and Jewish people,” said Qiu Yuanpin. “Both Chinese and Jewish nations have suffered at the hands of Fascist forces, but, ultimately, achieved final victory after unyielding struggle. We hope to commemorate this historic moment.”