On Sept. 3, some expatriates living in Shenzhen gathered to watch a grand military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Many attendees described the spectacle as both awe-inspiring and deeply meaningful.
9月3日，在深圳的一些外籍友人相聚一堂，共同见证了在北京举行的纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年盛大阅兵。他们纷纷表示，这不仅是一场震撼视觉的盛宴，更是一段直击心灵、意义深远的历史回望。
，时长01:09
Eyes on the march
聚焦庄严阅兵
In Shekou, a group of international residents assembled to view the live broadcast of the parade, which was overseen by President Xi Jinping and featured over 12,000 People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers marching in precise formations, accompanied by displays of advanced military equipment and aircraft. Towering Great Wall-shaped structures rose from Tian’anmen Square, symbolizing China’s unity and resilience during the wartime struggle.
当天，来自多个国家的朋友齐聚蛇口，通过直播共睹阅兵盛典。一万二千余名解放军官兵迈着整齐的步伐通过天安门广场，先进武器装备和现代化战机轮番登场，气势恢宏，场面非常震撼。广场上巍然矗立的长城造型，象征着中华民族在抗战中展现的团结与坚韧。
International residents watch a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Shekou on Sept. 国际友人在蛇口一起观看九三阅兵。图片：林松涛
“That was really powerful,” said Cecilia Hofflander, a Swedish national who watched the parade with several other expats in Shekou.
“场面震撼，前所未有！”瑞典人西莉亚•霍夫兰德在蛇口与各国友人一同观看直播后感叹。
Hofflander and her husband relocated to China in 2008. “We lived in Beijing at that time. I saw a parade for the first time in 2009,” she said, adding that today’s spectacle was on another scale. She expressed surprise at how much China has progressed economically and technologically over the years, as reflected in the array of advanced weaponry and modern airplanes that were on display.
她和丈夫2008年来到中国，在北京定居。“那时我们住在北京，我第一次看阅兵是2009年。今天的规模、气势远超当年，” 她说。她感慨道，从受阅的先进装备和现代战机中，可以直观感受到中国这些年在经济和科技方面的飞跃。
(From front L) Igor Orlov, Alisa Orlova, Sava Tomoiaga and Lis Tatiana watch the parade with interest. （前排左起）伊戈尔•奥洛夫、阿莉莎•奥洛娃、萨瓦•托莫亚加、莉斯•塔蒂亚娜与中外友人一道观看直播。图片：林松涛
Romanian expat Sava Tomoiaga was visibly moved, recording the event on her phone as soldiers marched past with unwavering resolve. “It was one of a kind,” she said. “Their faces were lit with confidence and pride. Despite the heat, they didn’t even blink.”
阅兵直播中，当整齐划一的受阅部队步伐铿锵地通过天安门广场时，来自罗马尼亚的萨瓦•托莫亚加情不自禁举起手机拍摄。“独一无二！”她连声称赞，“战士们脸上写满自信与自豪，烈日之下 依旧目光坚毅。”
Beyond military might
震撼之后，更见和平初心
Although the spectacle was visually impressive, many viewers were equally struck by China’s peaceful posture amid a show of military strength.
尽管这场阅兵式场面壮观，但不少外籍观众更对中国在展示军力的同时所传递出的和平姿态印象深刻。
“China’s armed forces have not been involved in wars or military conflicts for a long time, even though the world has never been truly peaceful,” said Italian wine dealer Alessandro Mugnano, CEO of Interprocom Group, a Shenzhen-based Italian wine dealership in China.
“世界从未真正太平，但很长时间以来，中国没有卷入任何战争或军事冲突。”意大利葡萄酒商，现任蒂维妮酒业（深圳）有限公司CEO阿莱桑德罗•穆尼亚诺说道。
American expat Don Rechtman echoed that sentiment. "Those participating in the parade, their stern faces and stances notwithstanding, showed their pride and excitement and sense of honor of just being there,” he said.
Rechtman added the experience had shifted his perspective on U.S. global influence.“China is showing the world that leaders don’t need to rely on force to gain power and respect,” he said. “The ancient Chinese text 'The Art of War' serves as the instruction manual for President Xi’s demonstration by example to other leaders that creating global prosperity and peace is the true key to lasting power."
美国友人唐•雷克特曼也分享了他的感受：“受阅官兵神情肃穆、身姿挺拔，却掩不住自豪与荣耀。” 他说，这次经历也刷新了他对全球发展格局的认知。“中国向世界证明，领导者无需诉诸武力即可赢得尊重。《孙子兵法》的战略智慧，正是中国以行动昭示各国：创造全球繁荣与持久和平，才是赢得未来的关键。”
Pakistani journalist Syed Aoon Sherazi sent a congratulatory message to Shenzhen Daily to mark the occasion:“Hearty congratulations to China on the 80th anniversary of the great victory. This historic milestone is a reminder of the courage, sacrifices, and resilience of the Chinese nation," he wrote. "May China continue to rise in strength, peace, and prosperity, inspiring the world with its wisdom and progress. Long live China-Pakistan friendship.”
巴基斯坦记者赛义德•奥恩•希拉齐通过《深圳日报》发来贺词：“衷心祝贺中国抗战胜利80周年！这一历史丰碑铭刻着中华民族的勇气、牺牲与坚韧。愿中国在力量、和平与繁荣中持续崛起，以智慧与进步启迪世界。中巴友谊长存！”
Participants pose for a group photo with a Chinese national flag after the viewing event in Shekou. 观看直播后，观众们手持五星红旗合影留念，纪念这一历史性时刻。图片：林松涛
Rekindling a wartime bond
跨越时空的战时情谊
The events on Sept. 3 also brought renewed attention to a powerful piece of shared history between China and the United States. In a tribute to wartime cooperation, Shenzhen Daily released a special video titled “Saving Kerr,” which was shared and praised Sept. 4 by Zhang Heqing, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, on his X account (@zhang_heqing).
9月3日的纪念活动，也让一段跨越81载的中美抗战情谊再次走进公众视野。为纪念抗战胜利80周年,《深圳日报》特别策划制作《拯救大兵克尔》视频报道。9月4日晚，中国驻巴基斯坦大使馆文化参赞兼巴基斯坦中国文化中心主任张和清在其海外社交媒体平台X（@zhang_heqing）点赞并转发了该报道。
，时长00:33
《参赞点赞》作者：许舜钿
The video follows David Kerr, son of Flying Tigers lieutenant Donald W. Kerr, as he retraced his father's escape route through Tuyang Village in Shenzhen on Aug. 29 — a path first taken in 1944 after Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Then, lieutenant Kerr was rescued by members of the Dongjiang Column, a local guerrilla force, and brought to safety in what is now Shenzhen.
该视频记录了前飞虎队员唐纳德•克尔中尉之子大卫•克尔，于8月29日重返深圳土洋村，循着父亲当年被东江纵队营救的足迹，重走那条生死之路。1944年，克尔中尉在香港遇袭，幸得东江纵队游击队员舍命相救，辗转转移至安全地带——即今日的深圳。
David has visited China regularly since 2008 to honor his father’s story and help keep the memory of that cooperation alive. His most recent visit was especially poignant, coinciding with the 80th anniversary celebrations.
，时长03:10
《拯救大兵克尔》作者：刘旭东
自2008年起，大卫多次重访中国，重走父辈足迹，守护这段历史记忆。今年的重返，正值抗战胜利80周年，更显意义非凡。
As David said, “When we work together, we can accomplish almost anything.” He added, “I hope that in the future Chinese and American people can not only be friends, but work together to solve common problems in the world.”
正如大卫所说：“当我们携手合作，我们几乎可以成就任何事情。希望中美人民不仅能友谊长存，更应共同努力，应对当今世界面临的共同挑战。”
As expats and Chinese alike paused to reflect on the lessons of history and the hope for a peaceful future, one common sentiment rang clear: Remembrance is not only about honoring the past, but also about shaping the future.
中外友人共同回顾那段烽火岁月，心中满是祝愿：铭记历史， 携手前行！
原标题：《双语深圳 | 在深外籍人士看阅兵：“令人难忘!”》