Leaders from Hong Kong’s political, business and social sectors who witnessed the V-Day parade in Beijing on Wednesday said they take pride in appreciating the nation’s advanced military equipment and are confident that the city will prosper by tapping into historic opportunities brought by national progress.

A 360-member Hong Kong delegation, led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, attended the massive military parade in Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square, which was staged to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

In a social media post after the parade, Lee hailed the honor of witnessing the commemorative events and paying tribute to the fallen heroes. The parade demonstrated not only the country's achievements in national defense in the new era, but also conveyed to the world that the Chinese people remember history and cherish peace, Lee said.

READ MORE: China holds massive parade to mark 80 years of WWII victory

Looking ahead, Lee pledged to lead the special administrative region government with firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, while working together with all walks of life to make a greater contribution to the Chinese path to modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said it was the first time he had attended such a parade. He said that he will transform today’s awe and inspiration into a driving force for progress, leading his team to resolutely uphold national security, and protect the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming and some other representatives from the Police Force watched Wednesday’s parade. In a social media post, the force quoted Chow as expressing pride in the nation’s development since the victory in the War of Resistance.

Siu reiterated Hong Kong Police’s core mission to safeguard national security and social stability, thereby contributing to the country’s future development.

Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress Dennis Lam Shun-chiu said the parade served as a global reminder to remember history and cherish peace. It will remind people that today’s stability has been built upon the immense sacrifices of previous generations, he said.

Lam pledged that Hong Kong will transform patriotic sentiments into concrete actions by taking a pioneering role in the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and international exchanges to contribute fully to the nation’s rejuvenation.

Hong Kong NPC deputy Brave Chan Yung said the parade and other commemorative activities held across the nation served not only as a profound reflection on history, but also as a vivid form of patriotic education.

They help the younger generation gain a deeper understanding of the history of the War of Resistance, inspire patriotism, and carry forward the national spirit, Chan noted.

The city’s lawmaker Simon Lee Hoey said the parade will make people take great pride in the strength of the nation's defense prowess, while also holding deep reverence for the fallen heroes who fought for 14 years during the War of Resistance.

READ MORE: HK youth hail V-Day parade, pledge role in national security

It is through their lives, blood, and lifelong sacrifices that people can enjoy today’s prosperity, stability, and national confidence, Lee added.

Another Hong Kong legislator, Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan, said she was “deeply moved” and “overawed” by the display of national strength during the military procession, citing three notable “debuts” at the parade: New aerial equipment, new strategic weapon systems, and the Chinese armed forces’ four new branches — the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and the joint logistics support force.

She emphasized that the parade underscored China’s commitment to comprehensive modernization and national rejuvenation, resolve to safeguard its development interests, commitment to a path of peaceful rise, as well as a constant sense of responsibility in today’s unstable geopolitical climate.

Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com