Chinese nationals in Austria and some local people got together Friday to mark the 65th anniversary of V-day of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). At a forum in memory of the anti-Japanese war, the 30-strong Chinese nationals and local people recalled how China, with international help, defeated the Japanese invaders. Addressing the meeting, Shi Mingde, Chinese ambassador to Austria, said patriotism was the greatest intellectual treasure and tradition of China and the commemoration 'is aimed to remind the Chinese people of remembering history, cherishing peace and initiating a brilliant future.' Also attending the forum were leaders of local overseas Chinese organizations, Chinese students in Austria, and descendants of Austrian volunteers who came to China during World War II to help China combat Japanese invaders. Participants said China was ravaged by imperialist powers for more than 100 years after 1840 and victory of the war against Japanese aggression is a turning point in China's modern history, which has laid a foundation for China's national independence and liberation and established the position of China as a power in international politics. They said China's victory over Japan also made tremendous contributions to the complete victory of World War II against Fascism, the defending of world peace and human rights, and the development of humanity. Participants said looking back to the past was aimed at looking into the future. What the Japanese invaders had left to China was not only pain but also shame, they said. China's backwardness and weakness made China vulnerable to attack, a serious lesson the Chinese people must learn. They also believed that a powerful nation required a national spirit of hard work that should be passed down to younger generations. 