Chinese Peace Statue Unveiled at WWII 80th Anniversary Commemorative Concert in Melbourne
中国和平铜像在二战结束80周年墨尔本纪念音乐会上揭幕
Community members, scholars and performers gathered on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at the Korean Society of Victoria in Oakleigh for the “Marking 80 Years Since WWII: Standing Together for Peace” concert, an event commemorating eight decades since the end of the Second World War, honouring those who suffered during the conflict, and promoting cross‑community solidarity for peace. Rachel Liang, a committee member of the Chinese Australians for Peace Association (CAPA), served as the MC for the event.
A central moment of the program was the unveiling of the new Chinese Peace Statue, a project nearly two years in the making. The statue commemorates the women forced into the Japanese military’s wartime system of sexual slavery, historically referred to as “comfort women.”
Jimmy Li, President of the Chinese Australians for Peace Association (CAPA), who delivered the unveiling speech, described the statue as “a powerful symbol of remembrance and a commitment to dignity, human rights, and peace.”
Additional reflective remarks were offered by Christine Kim, Secretary of Friends of “Comfort Women” in Melbourne, and June Anderson, President of Women Support Inc., both emphasising the importance of acknowledging historical injustices and supporting survivors of gender‑based violence.
The event featured a keynote address by Professor Gil‑Soo Han, titled “Remembering the Past, Building a Shared Future,” which highlighted the role of historical memory in strengthening inter‑community understanding.
The multicultural concert program included a Korean Gayageum performance, Chinese vocal and instrumental works, and dance pieces by the Melbourne Huayu Home Art Troupe. Renowned composer and musical director Warren Wills also performed two commemorative duets, including a work composed specifically for the concert, “Nanjing Remembrance.”
Organised by the Chinese Australians for Peace Association (CAPA), the event served as a reminder of the shared histories of Asian communities and reaffirmed their collective commitment to peace, justice and remembrance.
(By the Chinese Australians for Peace Association)
