Many overseas Chinese in San Francisco recently gathered for a symposium commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, aiming to preserve historical memories that are often overlooked. At the Victory Hall in San Francisco's Chinatown, attendees shared and reflected on their memories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This war marked both the beginning and the end of the World Anti-Fascist War. For some of them, these memories remain deeply tragic. Jennifer Cheung, president of the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WW II in Asia, shared a story her father once described to her: how Japanese soldiers captured him in a village in southern China and later managed to escape. "I grew up with my father telling me when the Japanese came into our village, he almost got shot because the bullet just blew right by his head. And when I was little, I thought he was telling a story -- like making up a story. Until 2005, he took me to the village, and he pointed out the bullet hole to me," said Cheung. She recently raised funds to rent two theaters and invited people to watch the newly released Chinese movie "Dead to Rights," which depicts the Nanjing Massacre. According to her, few people outside of China are aware of this history. "I grew up here in the United States. I don't really know much about the history of China or Asia, which has been invaded by the Japanese military. So I feel there's got to be a channel to educate the world," Cheung continued. Julie Tang, a retired judge and co-founder of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition, believes this history holds significant lessons for both the Chinese and American people today. "A lot of the speakers talk about learning from what happened during World War II. The United States and China joined forces at that time to forge peace. And I think that these are two big powers of the world right now. And I think that the success of one country will affect the success of the other," said Tang. Attendees also recalled how, during the war, overseas Chinese in the United States raised funds to send to China in support of the resistance against Japanese aggression. When Japan surrendered, they were still raising funds. According to Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin, the venue for this event, the Victory Hall, was built using funds raised at that time. "They use the remaining sum to build this place in order to tell people that we've won the war and we want to continue peace," said Zhang Jianmin. He said the event was held at the Victory Hall in hopes that its symbolic ideals would be passed down through generations. "It's an important way for people to realize how much peace is cherished. You know, sometimes peace is just like electricity and water. You only realize how valuable it is once it's absent," said Zhang. Those present expressed their hope that this gathering would serve as a reminder that China and the United States can overcome any challenge by working together -- whether in politics, trade, or addressing climate change. SHOTLIST: San Francisco, California, USA - Recent 1. Symposium commemorating 80th anniversary of victory in World Anti-Fascist War in progress; 2. Screen showing films; 3. Various of Jennifer Cheung sharing stories; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Cheung, president, Global Alliance for Preserving History of WW II in Asia: "I grew up by my father telling me when the Japanese came into our village he almost got shot because the bullet just blew right by his head. And when I was little, I thought he was telling a story -- like making up a story. Until 2005, he took me to the village, and he pointed the bullet hole to me."; 5. Various of moviegoers entering screening hall; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Cheung, president, Global Alliance for Preserving History of WW II in Asia (starting with shot 5): "Myself, I grew up here in the United States, I don't really know much about more history about the Chinese or Asia which has been invaded by the Japanese military. So I feel there's got to be a channel to educate the world."; 7. Julie Tang speaking; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Tang, co-founder, Comfort Women Justice Coalition (partially overlaid with shot 9): "A lot of the speakers talk about learning from what happened during World War II. The United States and China joined forces at that time to forge peace. And I think that these are two big powers of the world right now. And I think that the success of one country will affect the success of the other."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Symposium in progress; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Attendees of symposium; 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Jianmin, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco: "They use the remaining sum to build this place in order to tell people that we've won the war and we want to continue peace."; 12. Attendees taking photos; 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Jianmin, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco (starting with shot 12): "It's an important way for people to realize how much peace is cherished. You know, sometimes peace is just like electricity and water. You only realize how valuable it is once it's absent."; 14. Attendees. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]