Lau with other leaders from across Malaysia gathered for a group photo at the event, marking a grand and memorable occasion.
KOTA KINABALU: Standing among world leaders at Tiananmen Square in China, Sabah business leader Datuk Dexter Lau described being overcome with both deep emotion and a profound sense of responsibility during the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
“This was a grand occasion where history and the future converged, reminding us to remember the pain of war and to cherish the hard-won peace,” said the Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah President.
The solemn atmosphere at the national event stirred personal emotions for Lau, evoking painful memories of his own family’s past. He recalled stories passed down by his elders: how his grandfather had narrowly escaped death during the war through resilience and courage, and how his grandmother, pregnant with his father at the time, was brutally beaten and kicked by enemy soldiers, nearly losing her life.
“At the same time, Malaysia too was engulfed in turmoil, and our family business, Kim Teck Cheong, was forced to halt operations, with survival taking precedence,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the modern era, Lau reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as “a war without smoke and fire” that brought the world to a standstill. “As a business with an 88-year legacy, we did everything we could not just to safeguard a livelihood, but to uphold our family’s resilience and enduring responsibility, to carry the business forward, and to pass down our beliefs from generation to generation.”
He stressed that the commemoration was not about stirring hatred, but about reminding people to value peace and to prepare for adversity. “We, too, have moments of weakness. But what matters is how we respond. Whether in war or in a pandemic, the real test is not whether we fall, but whether we can stand up again after falling.”
As a representative of Sabah’s business community, Lau was invited to join heads of state, dignitaries and Chinese diaspora leaders from around the world at the Beijing commemoration. The event was co-hosted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Central Military Commission.
Held on September 3, 2025, at Tiananmen Square, the occasion featured a grand military parade as its centrepiece, symbolizing China’s solemn pledge to remember history and cherish peace.
Dexter emphasized that the honour was not his alone but belonged to MCCC Sabah and its members. “I represent not only Sabah, but also Sarawak, the whole of East Malaysia, and even Borneo including Brunei. Though Borneo may be geographically far from Beijing, our voice can still be heard on the world stage.”
The commemoration was the fourth major national celebration since Xi Jinping assumed the role of CPC General Secretary in 2012, and the 19th large-scale military parade since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Among the world leaders present were Russian President Vladimir Putin, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the presidents of Kazakhstan, Iran, Cuba, Mongolia, Pakistan and Belarus.
According to Lau, the gathering of global leaders underscored not only the significance of the event but also reinforced his determination to elevate Sabah’s business community onto the international stage.
“To remember history is to illuminate the future, and only through cooperation can we achieve mutual success. Guided by our mission of ‘linking resources, building platforms, and expanding opportunities,’ MCCC Sabah will continue to connect with the world, strengthening Sabah’s role in international trade, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange,” he said.
Lau also offered words of encouragement to the younger generation, noting that many young people today are quick to give up when faced with challenges. “History teaches us that after the storm comes the rainbow. The most important thing is for everyone to engage in self-reflection, to draw lessons from challenges, and to build resilience in adversity.”
He urged young people to take responsibility for their roles, manage businesses with dedication, and ensure that every step forward is an improvement from the last. “Only then can we keep moving forward and seize the future,” he said.
