TOUNGOO, Myanmar, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Myanmar organized a diplomatic group tour to Toungoo in Myanmar's Bago region Tuesday to pay respects to members of the Chinese Expeditionary Forces who sacrificed their lives in helping Myanmar in defending Japanese aggression during the World War II.
A memorial monument was built in Toungoo to mark the fallen Chinese expeditionary forces in the history and Chinese diplomats used to go and lay wreaths at the monument during traditional Qingming Festival, or Tomb-sweeping Festival every year.
In 1942, China sent 100,000 expeditionary soldiers to Myanmar and India to fight against Japanese forces with the Allies. During the war, nearly half of the Chinese soldiers were killed or injured.
Chinese ambassador Hong Liang told the memorial ceremony that the Chinese expeditionary forces had paid a great cost in defending Myanmar's independence as well as Chinese sovereignty in resistance against Japanese invasion.
The Chinese expeditionary forces' historical undertakings in Myanmar was also a part of the World's fight against Fascism.
He attributed the enjoyment of peaceful living in the present era to the sacrifice of the people in the past.
Attending the memorial ceremony were also Chinese companies working in Myanmar and Chinese associations.